Full text of "Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society"

See other formats

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2015

https://archive.org/details/historicalcollec19unse

EZRA GLAZIER

Founder of the Methodist Episcopal Church
in Topsfield.

THE

HISTORICAL

COLLECTIONS

OF THE

TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY

VOL. XIX

1914

TOPSFIELD, MASS.
Published by the Society.

1914

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW
Editor

THE MERRILL PRESS

MASS.

CONTENTS.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE YEAR

ENDING JANUARY 12, 1914, V

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER FOR THE YEAR

ENDING JANUARY 12, 1914, - - - - vii

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF TOPSFIELD (1729-

1739), COPIED BY H. F. LONG (Continued) , - 1

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

IN TOPSFIELD, BY LEONE P. WELCH ( Illustrated ), 89
EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL

RELATING TO TOPSFIELD Il6

TOPSFIELD VITAL STATISTICS, 191 3, - - - * 117

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1913, - - - - 120

BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED, 1913, - - - - 120

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE SECRETARY OF THE

TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY

FOR THE YEAR ENDING JAN. 12, 1914.

The past year must forever remain a milestone in the history of
this Society for, after nearly twenty years of hopeful anticipation,
the ancient “Parson Capen House” with its quaint traditions and
picturesque architecture has passed into our possession. May its
oaken timbers long remain a monument and a shrine for our
endeavors. At the time of its erection in 1683 without doubt it was
the finest dwelling in the town, and now, after its restoration, follow-
ing step by step the original lines as shown by timber and mortice,
today it stands, the most typical and best preserved of all the 17th
century houses remaining in Essex County and probably of those
in Eastern Massachusetts.

Soon after acquiring title to the property, it having been made
possible to secure additional land through the assistance of a friend
of the Society, this same good friend gave the sum of $1,100, to be
expended in restoring the building, a most welcome and timely gift
for which the Society should be forever grateful. The work of
restoration was done under the direction of your secretary after care-
full study of the building and much contemporaneous evidence.
The finished result speaks for itself.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

Mr. Wm. Sumner Appleton of Boston, the Secretary of the So-
ciety for the Preservation of New England Antiquities and also a
member of this Society, has shown much interest in the building
and not only has he made numerous photographs showing the
progress of the work, but through his influence Mr. Isham of Provi-
dence, the authority on Rhode Island and Connecticut houses, came
to Topsfield and spent some time analyzing the structural features
of the house. Mr. Appleton also secured the interest and coopera-
tion of the Boston Society of Architects which organization dele-
gated one of its members to visit Topsfield and make measured
drawings of the framing at a time when it might be seen to best
advantage. It is hoped that this material may be available for an
extended architectural and historical account of the house to appear
in a future issue of our Historical Collections.

The second story and attic of the Parson Capen House have been
attractiveh' fitted up as a home for a custodian of the building,
water has been piped to the house from the well, a cesspool has
been built, and your Directors have voted to construct a suitable
woodshed in the rear.

In fitting up for occupancy the first floor of the house an effort
has been made to supply only such furniture and equipment as
might have been used in Parson Capen’s time. Original furniture
of that period is now difficult to obtain and also costly and therefore
reproductions of genuine examples have been used so far as neces-
sary. A fine oak chest (possibly a “food hutch”) probably made
in this vicinity before 1675 has been given by Mr. O. E. Lake and
the loom in the kitchen was purchased in Groveland. It is greatly
to be desired that other examples of furniture, particularly chairs
and wainscot stools may in time be secured.

It has seemed best to your Board of Directors to establish the
rule that these rooms be preserved as a memorial to the period of
the good Parson and not to permit the introduction of any objects
originally used after the year 1750. Of course many gifts of most
miscellaneous character will now naturally gravitate to our custody

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER.

and the suggestion is offered that the Society should erect in the
near future, upon a location in the rear and adjoining to the present
parlor, a one story cement building suitably arranged to receive
and display such historical and natural objects as may illustrate the
growth and cultivation of the town and its people.

By the final distribution of the estate of the late Daniel Cum-
mings of Boston, the benefactor of the Society, the sum of $648.00
was received, together with eight additional shares of stock in the
United Shoe Machinery Company, so that our present holdings
amount to 37 shares.

The present membership is 235, two new members having been
elected during the past year and nine having died : — Mrs Charles
J. Peabody and John H. Towne, both charter members, James M.
Marsh, Charles Carmody, Mrs. S. Maria Downing of Lynnfield,
Mrs. Allen L. Joslin of Boston, Mrs. Mary C. Fitts of Newfields,
N. H. (died in 1912), and Francis H. Lee and George L. Peabody,
both of Salem. Volume 17 of the Historical Collections has been
completed and distributed and Volume 18 is now in the binders’
hands, while a beginning has been made on Volume 19.

Respectfully submitted,

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW,

Secretary.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

OF THE TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

RECEIPTS.

'913-

Jan. 1. Cash balance on hand,

Assessments (annual dues)
Historical Collections sold,

Bindings sold,

$129 11

$83 50
13 00

20 10 1 16 60

$245 7T

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER.

viii

PAYMENTS.

A. T. Merrill, printing Vol. 17,

$55

Interest on $500, loan,

“ Salem Savings Bank,

Mrs. Annah B. Jordan, real estate,

Recording deed and plan,

2 5

O. W. Stevens, loom, kettles, etc.,

Miscellaneous, printing and postage,

$139

Balance cash on hand,

106

245

Balance cash on hand,

$106

'9'3-
Jan. i.
Mar. 29.
Sept. 27.
Mar. 29.

Dec. 8.
Mar. 29.
Mar. 29.

1913-
Mar. 29.

1914.
Jan. 12.

BUILDING FUND.

RECEIPTS.

On deposit in Salem Savings Bank, $961 26

Received on account residue Cummings estate, $560 00
“ “ “ “ 88 00

Received 8 shares United Shoe Mach’y Co. stock,

Dividends, 37 “ “ “ “ 84 50

Interest on deposits in Salem Savings Bank, 21 23

Gift from an anonymous friend to purchase extra land 100 00
Loan from Naumkeag Trust Co., 500 00 $1353 83

$2315 09

PAYMENTS.

Paid Mrs. Annah B. Jordan for Capen house and

1 1-5 acres of land, $2080 00

Transferred to alterations account, 235 09 $2315 09

$2315 09

On hand in Building Fund, 37 shares United

Shoe M. Co. stock at present market, $57. $2109 00

Less outstanding loan from Naumkeag Trust Co., 500 00
Present value of Fund, $1609 00

Respectfully submitted,

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW,

Treasurer.

THE

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF
TOPSFIELD, MASS.

COPIED BY HENRY F. LONG.

( Continued from Vol. XVII, page 56.)

5 The Town Manifested by a vote yt they were willing to
Joyn with our Neigbours belonging to Ipswich farms & to
be[ar] our proportion According to Estate of all Necessary
Charges that shall or may arise in Trying to git our said
Neighbours to be Layed to our Town as Township voted

6 Dean John Howlet Mr Thomas Gould & Mr William

Reddington are Chosen a Committe to Joyn with the Com-
mitte that our sd Neighbours shall Chuse to view ye Land in
said Ipswich farms & to see where a Line May Conveniently
be stated to bring them into our Township voted

7 The Town Ordred ye Trustees of y* Last Loan Money

to pay in the Intrest of sd money four pound percent to y°
Province Treasurer & fourty shillings percent to ye Town
Treasurer voted

8 The Town Allowed to Nathaniel Averill Junr three shil-
lings for straighting ye Lines round ye Parsonage

voted 030

9 The Town Allowed to Zacheus Gould sixteen shillings
for four Trees to repair ye Town bridge in y* year 1728

voted o 16 o

10 The Town Allowed to John Dwinell Eight shillings for

Eight Trees to mend ye ways in 1728 voted 080

(1)

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

11 The Town Allowed to ye Trustees viz Ens Amos Dor-

man Eliezer Lake and Jacob Peabody one pound Eight shill-
ings for their Trouble in gitting & Leting out the Towns
Loan money till this time voted I 8 o

12 The Town Allowed To Cap1 Joseph Gould fifty pounds

two shillings for his service at ye General Court as Repre-
sentative in ye year past voted

Cap1 Joseph Gould Abated three pound of ye above sd
sum of fifty pounds two shillings so that there is due to
Cap1 Gould for sd service But fourty seven pound two shil-
lings 47 2 o

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified as ye Law Directs for voting
are Notified & Warned to meet together at ye Meeting house
in Topsfield on Tuseday ye Tenth Currant at three of ye
Clock in ye afternoon.

1 To Receive ye return or account of Mr Eliezer Lake of
fenceing in ye parsonage.

2 To see if the Town will doe anything further about the
highway by Jacob Reddingtons.

3 To see what the Town will Doe about sending in their
Part of the first Loan Money To the Treasurer

4 To allow Bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield June the Seventh 1729
Joshua Towne Constable of Topsfield

Benjamin Towne by order
of the Selectmen of Topsfield

At a Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield June ye 10th 1729

1 Dean John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 The Town agreed y1 ye Trustees for the Towns first

Loan Money : shall Pay in the fourth fift part of ye Town
first Loan Money to ye province Treasurer voted

3 The Town Allowed Thirty seven pound sixteen shil-

lings & Ten pence three farthings to Mr Eliezer Lake for
fencing in ye Parsonage Land % f6 ^ 3

And Ten shillings for his trouble in procuring the Timber
to fence in ye parsonage voted o 10 00

4 The Town Allowed Ten pounds to John Perkins &

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

Jonathan Wildes for building the pound which was Raised
in Topsfield this year voted io 00 00

5 The Town accepted of ye return yt ye Selectmen made
of Casting the Country Rate that was formerly Committed
to Mr Zacheus Gould Constable to Collect: And sd select-

men find sd Rate to amount to one hundred Twenty Nine
pounds three shillings & Ten pence : Which is about thirteen
shillings More than he was to pay in to ye province Treasurer

voted

Boston June 5th 1729

Received of the Trustees £ 60 000 for the Town of Tops-
field Ten pounds Eleven Shillings & three pence Interest for
Mr Trear Allen P Ja3 Allen

Boston July 4th 1729

Recd of the Trustees of Topsfield fifty one the fourth fift
part of the £50 000 Loan by the hand of Mr Daniel Clark:

P Ebenr Swan in behalf & by order
of Jer Allen Treasurer

The two Copies Last Entered are True Copies

Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

Essex ss To Mr Joshua Town Constable of Topsfield
Greeting &c In his Majesties Name you are Required to
warn all the freeholders & other Inhabitants on ye North
side of ye River in Topsfield to meet at the Meeting house in
Topsfield on Wednesday ye Seventeenth Currant at one of
the Clock in ye afternoon

1 To Choose Jurymen for Newbery Court

2 To see if the Town will Provide a Pew for the Reverend
Mr John Emerson During the Term of his Ministry among
us

3 To see if the Town will Choose a Committee to advise
with Ipswich farmers our neighbours and if the Town see
Cause to Chuse a Committee to Joyn with our sd Neighbours
to Prefer a petition to the General Court that our sd neigh-
bours may be Layd to Topsfield

4 To see if the Town will give Liberty for George Cowan
to Live in the watch house some time

5 To Allow Bills of Charge. And make timely return of
your doings herein to one or more of the selectmen of Tops-

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

field hereof fail not as you will answer the Contrary at the
perril of the Law

Datd Topsfield Sept 12: 1729 John Howlett

In obedience to your warrant I have notified Benja Towne

and warned the within written Inhabitants David Balch

appear at time & place Jacob Peabody

Joshua Towne Selectmen of Topsfield

Constable of Topsfield

A True Copy of the warrant & Return thereof
attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The south side of the river being warnd & a proper return
made the meeting is as followeth

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield Sep1 17th 1729

1 Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Matthew Peabody & Daniel Reddington Junr are Chos-
en to serve on ye Jury of Tryals at the next Inferiour Court
to be holden at Newbery for and within the County of Essex

voted

3 The Town agreed to finde a Pew on ye right hand of the

Coming in at the South Door of the meeting house for ye
Reverend Mr John Emerson for his wife & family to sit in
during the Term of his ministry among us voted

4 The Town hath made Choice of Mr William Towne &

Mr Daniel Clark to agree with some suteable Person to build
a pew for Mr Emerson as above sd : and to Give Instruc-
tions to sd person how to build sd pew voted

5 The Town having heard the Letter that was sent to us by
the Committe for Ipswich farmers Refering to a further Try-
al to be Laid to the Township of Topsfield the Town having
considered the matter Agreed to send the following Answer
to the sd farmers viz ffriends and Neighbours belonging to
Ipswich farms: we being Informed by a Committee of yours
of your proceeding with ye Town of Ipswsch in yt affair of
being set off to the Township of Topsfield: and we under-
stand yt it past in ye Negative and we also understand that
several of our adjacent Neighbours are very much agaiust
Lying in Township with us: We must say to such if they
can provide for themslves better we shall be very glad of it
Gentlemen We Cant Give you a More sincere Invitation than

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS,

we have done already the matter Lays with you to be well
united among yourselves and We stand ready to Receive
you we think it not proper to Prefer a petition to the Gen-
eral Court at present: so We Rest your friends & Neigh-
bours of Topsfield

Dean John Howlett ye present Moderator is Chosen to
present a Copy of the above written answer to Ipswich farm-
ers viz to ye Committe of sd farmers voted

6 The Town allowed thirteen shillings to Stephen John-
son for mending seats in the meeting house in may Last past

voted o 13 O

7 The Town allowed three pound sixteen shillings & two
pence to mr Joseph Towne for his time & Expenses in Try-
ing To Git a fish Course Cleared up Ipswich River

voted 3 16 2

8 The Town allowed five pound one shilling & two pence

to mr Benja Towne for his time & Expenses in Trying to git
a fish Course Cleared up Ipswich river voted 512

9 The Town allowed two pounds fifteen shillings & two
pence to Mr John Hovey for his time & Expences in Trying
to git a fish Course Cleared up Ipswich river voted 2152

This May Certifie Whom it May Concern that Although
the Town of Topsfield At A Town Meeting May ye 7th 1729
did Allow To me the subscriber fifty pounds two shillings
for my service as Representative in the year 1728 (And I
then Abated three pound ©f sd sum) And I have since said
meeting Received the sum of fifty pound two shillings of the
province Treasurer for ye said service Therefore I Doe by
these presents fully Aquitt & Discharge the said Town of
Topsfield from the payment of sd fifty pounds two shillings
tome Notwithstanding the Town Vote: And also I have
Delivered three pound of what I received as afore said :
unto the Selectmen of Topsfield agreeable to ye abatement
above mentioned. Joseph Gould

Datd Topsfield Jany ye 29th :i 729-30

This is a True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
And Entered by order of the selectmen of Topsfield

Boston 8th June 1727 Recd of Mr John Willdes Consta-
ble of Topsfield Sixty seven pounds thirteen shillings & Ten
pence in full for my Master Jeremi Allen Treasr

P Geo. Rogers

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Boston June 4th 1728 Recd of Mr John Willdes Constable
of Topsfield by mr Joseph Gould thirty six pounds Eleven
shillings & three pence in full

P Jer: Allen Treasurer

The two Receipts Last Entred are True Copies attest
Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

Recd John Willdes Constable of ye Town of Topsfield ye
sum of three pounds twelve shillings & 8d in full for ye
County Tax for ye sd Town the 6th May 1727 P John Ap-
pleton Treasurer

Recd of John Willdes , Constable of Topsfield the sum of
five pounds sixteen shillings & 9d in full for ye County Rate
for sd Town Aprill 10: 1728 P John Appleton Connty Trer

The two Receipts above Entered are True Copies Attest
Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

Recd of Joseph Dorman Constable; Topsfield the sum of
fifty three shillings and id in full for the County Rate for ye
sd Town 2-1 3-1

Aprill 9th 1729 P John Appleton County Treasurer

Boston July the 4th 1729 Recd of Mr Joseph Dorman of
Topsfield forty Nine pounds three shillings & five pence in
full by the hand of Mr Daniel Clark
P Ebenr Swan

in behalf & by Order of Jer Allen: Esqr Treasurer

Topsfield November 20th 1729 Recd of Mr Joseph Dor-
man Constable The full and Just sum of six pounds one
shilling and five pence in full for the Town Rate I say Recd
by me

Nathu Porter Town Trer

The three Receipts Last Entred are True Copies Attest
Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

To Mr Joshua Towne Constable of Topsfield Greeting
In his Majesties Name you are required to Notifie & warn
the freeholders and other Inhabitants of ye Town of Topsfield
on ye north side of the River such as are Qualified for vot-
ing as y* Law directs: To meet at ye Meeting house in
sd Town on Tuseday the Third day of March Next at Eight
of ye Clock in the morning on sd day: first To Choose Town
Officers as the Law Directs

2ly To Reckon with ye Town Treasurer

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

3 To accept of ye Return of Laying out a way or ways
on ye south side of ye River in sd Town said way being Laid
out in ye year 1729

4 To Agree with ye Proprietors about their fence that
Joyns upon ye Parsonage

5 To agree upon a Rule to Repair the Meeting house in
Topsfield

6 To see if the Town Will answer the Request of Mr3
Capen Referring to the Record Made in the Town Book
Concerning herself & her Son Nathaniel

7 To see if ye Town will allow ye trustees of ye Towns
Last Loan money to Let sd money any Longer out of Town

8 To Allow Bills of Charge and make timely return of
your doings herein to one or more of ye selectmen of Tops-
field as you will answer ye contrary at ye peril of ye Law

the Inhabitants of ye South Side John Howlett

of River being Eliezer Lake

Duly Warned & A Proper Return made David Balch
on both Benja Towne

Warrants the meeting is as followeth Jacob Peabody

Selectmen of Topsfield

At a Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 3rd
1729-30

1 Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for ye year En-
suing voted

3 Luke Averill & John Dwinel are Chosen Constables for

ye year Ensuing voted

4 Ivory Hovey is Chosen Town Treasurer for the year

Ensuing voted

5 Benja Towne Jesse Dorman Qustr Nath11 Bordman John

Willdes & John Perkins are Chosen selectmen for ye year
Ensuing voted

6 Joseph Bordman & Thomas Gould are Chosen overseers

of ye poor voted

7 Thomas Dwinel & Joshua Towne are Chosen Tything-

men for ye Year Ensuing voted

8 John Hovey is Chosen Sealer of Leather for ye year

Ensuing voted

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

9 David Commings Joseph Peabody Robert Perkins Dan-

iel Gould & Aaron Estey are Chosen Surveyers of highways
for ye year Ensuing voted

10 Jacob Dorman Samuel Smith & Jonathan Wildes are

Chosen fence viewers for ye year Ensuing voted

11 William Reddington is Chosen Schoolmaster for ye

year Ensuing voted

12 Israel Towne & Sam11 Curtis are Chosen hogreeves for

ye year Ensuing voted

13 Benja Towne & David Balch are Chosen a Committee
to Recken with Mr Nath11 Porter our former town Treasurer

voted

14 The Town Accepted of the Return of Laying out the

way from Mr Nath11 Porters Land to ye Northerly End of
Mr Jacob Towns house Lott said Return bearing Date ffeb-
ruary ye 20th 1729-30 voted

15 Whareas there is a Return made by a Committe: and
is Entered in the 250th page of this Book: Which Cast some
Reflection on Certain persons in this Town; the Town hav-
ing Considered thereof: Do now agree to order that the
names of sd persons shall be wholly Rast out of sd Return

voted

16 Eliezer Lake Joseph Andrews & Joseph Dorman are

Chosen a Committee to agree with ye Proprietors about their
fence that Joyns upon the Parsonage Land in Topsfield viz
to agree upon a prise for one half of sd fence or Else that
said Proprietors shall take away one half of sd fence And
Committee to make Return of their doings in that affair by
some time in May next voted

1 7 Nathaniel Averill Ivory Hovey & Jacob Peabody are

Chosen a Commitiee To take Care to Repair the meeting

house voted

18 The Town agreed that the Trustees for the Towns Last

Loan Money shall not Let out any of sd Money any Longer
out of Town voted

19 The Town have agreed & Impowered the Trustees for
ye Towns former Loan money to sue for ye Last fift part of
sd money & to pay in the same to y® province Treasurer

voted

20 The Town Allowed five shillings To Dean John Howlet

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

for string pieces for the bridge by sd Howletts house 1729

voted 0-5-0

21 The Town Allowed five shillings To Jesse Dorman for

Timber to mend the bridge by ye great pond so called in
1729 voted 0-5-0

22 The Town allowed one pound six shillings To John
Perkins for sweeping the Meeting the year past voted 160

23 The Town allowed two shillings & Eight pence to

Nathaniel Averill for Eight slabs to mend Mile Brook bridge
in 1729 voted 028

24 The Town Allowed one pound to William Reddington

for serving Schoolmaster the year Past voted 100

The Several Officers Chosen at ye above said Meeting of
whom an Oath is by Law Required: were all Sworn before
ye Selectmen of Topsfield on ye third & on ye fift days of
March 1729-30

Jacob Peabody Town Cler

Boston June 9th 1729 Recd of Mr Samuel Curtis Constable
of Topsfield P mr Joseph Herrick seventeen pounds fifteen
shillings & six pence in full, for Mr Treasurer Allen

P James Allen

Topsfield March 17: 1729-30 Recd of Samuel Curtis
Constable the sum of Two pounds Eleven shillings and three
pence in full for the Town Rate I say Recd by me

Nath11 Porter Town Treasurr

The two Receipts Last Entred are True Copies Attest Ja
Peabody T :C

Wee the Subscribers being Desired & Impowered by y°
selectmen of Topsfield to Lay out a way for some of ye In-
habitants on ye south side of ye River in said Town: have
Laid out a way from Mr Nathaie1 Porters Land to ye south-
erly End of Mr Jacob Towns his house Lot. ye sd way is
two Rods wide viz. Extending one rod on ye southerly End
of ye Lots now in ye Possession of David Balch & ye Wido
Dorothy Dorman & Jacob Dorman & Jesse Dorman & Wil-
liam Rogers & David Commings & Jacob Redington: And
one Rod on ye Land formerly Called ffarmer Porters Land

Also ye sd way is Laid out two Rods wide on a strait Line
Equally between the above sd Jacob Towns & Jacob Red-
ingtons viz two rods wide on ye southerly End of ye above

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

sd Jacob Towns his house Lott & two Rods wide on the
Northerly End of sd Jacob Redingtons Land & so into ye
way that Leads to the Town bridge so Called

Datd Topsfield ffebruary ye 20th 1729-30 Daniel Clarke

Thomas Gould
Ivory Hovey

This is & True Copie Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The freeholders & Other Inhabitants of Topsfield such as
are Quallified as the Law Directs for Voting are Warned to
Meet together at ye meeting house In Topsfield on Tuseday
ye Twenty fourth of March Currant at two of ye Clock after
noon first to Choose Jurymen for Ipswich Court

2ly To see if the Town will Give Liberty for swine to go at
Large as the Law directs

3 To Choose field drivers

4 To Receive the Return of the Committe that was ap-
pointed to Agree with the Propritors that Joyn fence upon
ye Parsonage

5 To Receive the Return of ye Committee that was to
Reckon with Mr Nathaniel Porter Town Treasurer

6 To see if the Town will be at ye Cost of Making & hang-
ing a Cart Gate on ye Road by Nathan Bixbys House

Datd Topsfield March ye 18 : 1729-30 Nathaniel Bordman
Luke Averill Constable John Willdes

Benja Towne
Jesse Dorman
Selectmen of Topsfield

At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield March ye 24:
1729-30

1 Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Mr Ivory Hovey is Chosen on ye Grandjury for ye year

Ensuing voted

3 Mr Ivory Hovey & Phineas Redington are Chosen on

ye Jury of Tryals at the Next Inferior Court to be holden at
Ipswich voted

4 The Town Agreed that swine should go at Large this

year according as the Law gives Liberty voted

5 Isaac Peabody & William Perkins are Chosen field

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

t I

drivers for yeyear Ensuing voted

6 The Town accepted of ye Committes Return of their
Reckoning with Mr Nathaniel Porter a former Town Treas-
urer The Return is as followeth Topsfield March 10th 1729-
30 voted then we ye subscribers Reckoned with Mr Nath-
aniel Porter Town Treasurer And there is in sd Treasurers

Money 24-12-4 and there is already
sum: the sum of 12-8-9 as witness our
David Balch
Benja Towne
Nathaniel Porter Town Treasurer

7 The Town Allowed Eight pounds to Jacob Perkins Junr
for fourty Nine rods & one half of his fence & stone wall that
Joyns upon ye parsonage it being ye North or northwesterly

hands of ye Towns
ordered out of that
hands

Committe

End of sd fence

voted

8 The Town Agreed to make & hang a Cart gate upon ye

way that Leads to Boxford by Nathan Bixbies : & to hang
sd gate Near to ye Corner of Mr Clarks wall Next to sd
Bixbies voted

9 Jonathan Wildes is Chosen to make & hang sd gate as

aforesd voted

Topsfield March 24th 1729-30
To mr Jacob Peabody & mr John Perkins and Mr Jona-
than Wildes Gentn you are hereby ordred & Impowered
to Perambulate and Renew bounds upon the Line Between
Ipswich & Topsfield with such gentn as ye selectmen of Ips-
wich have appointed and to meet them at ye house of Capt
Thomas Perley in Boxford on March the Thirtieth Currant
at one of ye Clock if a fair day if not the next fair day

Nath11 Bordman
John Perkins
Benja Towne

Selectmen of Topsfield

March 30th 1730

In persuance of ye within Order We the subscribers Met
Thomas Berry Esqr Messer3 Increas How & Phillamen Dane
and Perambulated ye Line between Ipswich & Topsfield and
Renewed the bounds by Laying stones and Marking Trees

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Thos Berry ^ £or Jacob Peabody ^ £or

Increase How > John Perkins >

Philemon Dane ) 1?*™™ Jonathan Willdes ) Topsfield
This is a True Copie attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

To Mr Joseph Herrick Mr David Commings and Benja-
min Towne

Gentlemen you are hereby ordered & fully Impowered to
Perambulate & Renew Bounds between the Towns of Salem
& Topsfield : And meet with Cap1 Johathan Putnam Mr Sam11
Porter Mr John Wolcott and Mr Benja Browne who are ap-
pointed by Salem selectmen for sd service: and you are to
meet them at Mr Sam11 Porters Dwelling in Salem on Aprill
ye 27th Instant at Ten in ye Morning: Dated Topsfield

Aprill: 13-1730 John Perkins Selectmen

John Wildes >

Benja Towne ) of Topsfield
Aprill 27-1730 We underwritten by appointment have
Met and Renewed the Bounds Mentioned first at Topsfield
Line beginning at a white oak Tree Markt SWT with a
heap of stones Round it Near Wenham Causway and so west
south westward unto a black oak Tree & stump with stones
between ; The Tree mark S T then on to a heap of stones
at ye Corner of Thomas Dwinels Pasture Near Smiths Hill
so called: & so on to a heap of stones Near Nickolses Brook
which Seperates Middleton Jonathan Putnam Senr

Joseph Herrick ^ jor Samuel Porter ) ^

Benja Towne > John Wolcott >

David Commings ) Topsfield Benja Browne ) Salem
A True Copy of ye order & Return of Perambulation:
Attest Jacob Peabody Town Cle

To Mr Joseph Herrick Mr David Commings and Benja-
min Towne Gentlemen you are Hereby Impowered to Per-
ambulate & settle bounds Between the Towns of Topsfield
& Middleton with such as the selection of Middleton shall
appoint and to meet them at ye house of Mr Nath11 Porters
in Topsfield on April ye 27th Instant at one of ye Clock after-
noon for sd service

John Perkins
John Wildes
Benja Towne

Selectmen
of Topsfield

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

To the Town of Topsfield Now Assembled Whereas we
the Subscribers were sometime past Chosen a Committee
and ordred by sd Town to view the way yt Leads through
Jacob Reddingtons Land in Order to turn it. and to Notifie
ail Parties Concerned to meet us at ye Place: Accordingly
we have done it: And Whereas we sd Committee are also
Impowered to Lay out a way as far as sd Reddingtons Land
Goes: in Persuance there unto we have Laid out sd way as
followeth Viz Two pole in upon sd Reddingtons Land at
ye Northerly End & westerly Corner, and Two pole in upon
Mr Jacob Towns Land at the southerly End of sd Townes
Land at ye Corner next to Jacob Reddingtons Land : and so
to Run strait the whole Length of their Lotts

Dated May the seventh 1729 Eliezer Lake

Tobijah Perkins

This is A True Copy of y® Return: Made by said Lake &
Perkins Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

April 27th 1730

We underwritten by Appointment Met & settled & Re-
newed the Bounds between Topsfield and Middleton: first
begining at Nickolses Brook where Salem & Topsfield Line
youst to Crose sd Brook : and then as sd Brook Runs and
the Northerly branch to the River Called Ipswich River

Joseph Herrick ) Topsfield Joh? Burton ^Middleton
David Commings > Benjamin Knight >

Benja Towne > Committe Ebenezer Nichols ) Committe

A True Copy of ye Settlement & Perambulation with
Middleton. Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field as are Quallified as the Law Directs for voting are warn-
ed to Assemble & Meet at ye Meeting house in Topsfield on
Tuseday the Twelveth of May Currant at two of the Clock
afternoon on sd day

1 To Elect & Depute a Person to serve Representative for
sd Town at the General Court to be holden at Cambridge

2 To see if ye Town will do anything further with the
proprietors that Joyn fence on ye Parsonage

3 To see what the Town will do with the Intrest of ye Loan
money this year

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

4 To see if the Town will Choose a Committe to settle
bounds with Boxford

5 To Consider of: and answer a Petition of Joseph Com-
mings of Ipswich

6 To see what the Town will do Refering to a Petition of
Mr Jacob Towne Entred at a Court of Sessions Refering to
highway — and to do anythings that they shall think best
about highways in said Town Datd Topsfield May 7th 1730

Jesse Dorman^) Select-
Luke Averill Constable of Topsfield John Perkins ! men of

John Wildes j Tops-
Benja Towne J field

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield May 12th 1730

1 Dea11 John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen to Represent the Town at

the General Court to be holden at Cambridge on the Last
Wednesday of May Currant voted

3 The Town Made Choice of Jesse Dorman to divide fence

with ye Proprietors of bare hill viz the fence between ye said
bare hill & ye Parsonage and said Dorman is to Make up
the Towns Part thereof with a sufficient Raill fence and the
Town is to Allow said Dorman three shillings three pence &
three farthings per rod voted

4 The Town Agreed yt ye Trustees for ye Towns Last
Loan money shall pay in four pound per cent of sd Money
to ye Province Treasurer & two per cent to ye Town Trasur

voted

5 Mr Zacheus Gould mr Ivory Hovey & Jacob Peabody
are Chosen a Committe to settle the bounds & Perambulate
ye Line between Topsfield & Boxford with such Gentlemen
as Boxford shall apoint for sd service: according to ye Last
Resolve of ye General Court Refering to said Line voted

6 Upon hearing a Petition of Joseph Commings of Ips-

wich on behalf of the Children of Joseph Commings Late of
Topsfield Decd The Town abated the whole of ye province
Tax & Ministers Rate that was Levied on ye Estate ofJsd
Joseph Commings deceased In ye year 1729 voted

7 Mr Joseph Bordman Cap1 Joseph Gould & Mr Joseph

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

Herrick are Chosen to Discourse with Mr Jacob Towne Re-
fering to ye Road Lately Laid out by sd Townses house:
and when they have heard sd Townses Terms for said Road
and for the Damage he has sustained thereby: sd Committe
are to make Report thereof to the Town ; for further Consid-
ertion voted

We Whose Names are under written being appointed by
the selectmen of our several Towns viz Wenham & Topsfield
to Renew & Perambulate bounds between our Respective
Towns as y® Law directs have accordingly attended said ser-
vice and have Renewed ye bounds Acording to the settle-
ment agreed upon by the two towns Wenham & Topsfield in
ye year 1682. as witness our hands

Dated Wenham May ye 20th 1730
Michael Dwinel J for Theophilus ffisk^) for
Jonathan Wildes Ebenezer ffisk >

William Redington J Topsfield J Wenham

A True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Tops-
field such as are Quallified for voting as the Law Directs are
Notified & warned to assemble and Meet together at ye
Meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday the Ninth Currant
at two of the Clock afternoon To Receive the Committes
Return that were Chosen to Treet with mr Jacob Towne
Concerning (The Notification was Not given to the Clerk)

Boston July 28th 1730

Recd of the Trustees of Topsfield for the £50 000 Loan
fifty one pounds Their Last fift of said Loan by the hands
of ffrancis Borland Esqr, for Mr Treas Allen
P Ebenr Swan

Boston July 28th 1730

Recd of the Trustees of Topsfield for the £ 60 000-Grant
Ten pounds Eleven shillings & three pence one years Intrest
to ye Ist June 1730 by ye hands of ffrancis Borland Esqr for
Mr Treas Allen P Ebenr Swan

These two receipts Last Entred are True Copies Attest
Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

1 6 EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield June 9th 1730

1 Cap4 John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 The Town Allowed Eighteen shillings to ye Trustees of
Towns Last Loan viz Eliezer Lake Tobijah Perkins & Jacob
Peabody for their trouble in Receiving: and paying in ye
intrest of said Loan according to Town order the year past

voted

3 The Town agreed & Impowered ye present selectmen
to Reckon & settle accounts with ye Trustees of ye Towns
former Loan (namely Capt Joseph Gould & Mr Nath11 Por-
ter) and to Receive what intrest is yet due to the Town of
said Loan for ye Towns use: and also to pay to ye sd Trus-
tees what is due to them for their service in that affair voted

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for vot-
ing: are hereby Warned & Notified; to Assemble and Meet
together at ye Meeting-house in Topsfield the Twenty-
second Instant, at two of the Clock, afternoon, on said day.

1 To Choose Jurymen for Newbery Court

2 To see if the Town will Repair, or dispose of the watch
house

3 To Reckon and settle accompts, with ye overseers of
the poor

4 To Choose a Committe, to give Reasons at Newbery
Court, why the prayer of Mr Jacob Townes Petition ought
not to be heard-or to agree with said Towne.

Dated Topsfield September 17th 1730 Nathaniel Bordman
Luke Averil Constable of Topsfield. Jesse Dorman

John Perkins
John Wildes
Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield

A True Copy of the Notification: Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk.

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield Sep4 22nd 1730

1 Cap4 John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Mr Joseph Herrick & Mr Benja Towne are Chosen to

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

1 7

serve on ye Jury of Tryals at the next Inferiour Court to be
holden at Newbery voted

3 Mr Joseph Bordman, Mr John Wildes & Mr Joseph
Andrew are Chosen to make sale of ye watch house (accord-
ing to their best Judgement) for the Towns benefitt any two
of them agreeing in said sale it is to be Counted Vallied

voted

Lieut Zacheus Gould, Cap1 John Howlett, & mr Joseph
Herrick Mr Benjamin Towne, & Mr Daniel Clark; are Chos-
en a Committee, to Treet with mr Jacob Towne Concerning
the way, Lately Laid out between said Townes & Mr Jacob
Redingtons. And Said Committe are hereby fully Impower-
ed to agree with sd Townes for ye sd way & damages Accord-
ing to their best Judgment & discretion; if they think it
Convenient: But if sd Committe do not agree with ye said
mr Jacob Towne, about sd way, & damage he saith he sus-
tains thereby: Then Mr Joseph Herrick, & Mr Benjamin
Towne, are Chosen Agents for yeTown; To Implead said
Towne and give in ye Reasons at ye Next Inferior Court to
be holden at Newbery why a Jury should not Come to View
ye said way voted

The freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified as ye Law directs for voting
are Notified & warned to Assemble & Meet together at the
Meeting house in Topsfield on Wednesday the Eighteenth
of November Instant at Two of ye Clock afternoon on sd day

1 To agree on a Tax to defray Town Charges this year

2 To Choose a Committe to Agree with mr Jacob Towne
about the highway by said Townes house or to give in Rea-
sons at the Next Court Sessions why the prayer of said
Townses petition ought not to be answered

3 To Choose a Committe to make up the Townes part
of fence Between the parsonage and the proprietors of bare
hill

4 To Allow Bills of Charge.

Datd Topsfield November 10th 1730 John Perkins

Luke Averill Constable for Topsfield John Wildes

A True Copy &c Benja Towne

Selectmen of Topsfield

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield November 18th
1730

1 Qutr Nathaniel Bordman is Chosen Moderator for this

meeting voted

2 The Town agreed that ye Present selectmen shall Leivy

a Tax of Ten pound To defray Town Charges voted

3 Cap1 John Howlett Mr Joseph Herrick & Mr Benja

Towne are Chosen Committe to Treat with Mr Jacob Towne
about the way that is Laid out between said Townes & Jacob
Reddingtons And sd Committe are fully Impowered to Agree
with said Townes about said way & damages he sustains
thereby according as they in their Prudence shall think Con-
venient. but if said Committee or the Major part of them do
not agree with sd Towne as afore said than the said Com-
mitte are fully Impowered, to Implead ye sd Mr Jacob Towne
at ye Next Inferiour Court & General sessions of ye peace to
be holden at Salem & to Give in their Reasons at sd Court
why a Jury should not Come to view ye sd way voted

4 Mr Thomas Dwinel & Mr Joseph Towne Junr are Chosen

to make up the Towns Part of the fence Between the
Parsonage & the Proprietors of bare hill pasture voted

5 The Town Allowed seven shillings & six pence to Joseph
Peabody for Timber to mend highways in ye summer past

voted 070

6 The Town Allowed five shillings to John Wildes for one

Days tendance at Salem Court Last June and three shillings
for Entering warrants in ye Court records voted

7 The Town Allowed four shillings & six pence to Qutr

Nathaniel Bordman for tending one day at Salem Court the
Last summer voted 046

8 The Town Allowed three shillings to mr Joseph Herrick
for perambulating with Salem & Middleton voted O 3 o

9 The Town Allowed three shillings to David Commings

for ye same service voted o 3 O

10 The Town allowed one shilling to Benjamin Towne for

gitting a Warrant Entred in ye Court Records & five shill-
ings for one Days tendance at Salem Court Last summer
and three shillings for perambulating with Salem & Middle-
ton ye Last summer and Ten shillings for two Days tendance
at Newbery Court as Agent for ye Town and five shillings
for Lawyers fees, the whole 1-4-0

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

1 1 The Town Allowed Ten shillings to Mr Joseph Herrick
for two days tendance at Newbery Court as agent for y°
Town & five shillings he paid to a Lawyer voted 0150

12 The Town Allowed Twelve shillings to Jonathan Wildes

for making & hanging A Cart Gate on ye Road near to
Nathan Byxby in ye summer past voted 0120

13 The Town Allowed six shillings to Doc1 Michael

Dwinel William Redington and Jonathan Wildes for peram-
bulating with Wenham Last Spring 060

14 The Town Allowed three shillings to Qutr Nathaniel

Bordman & Mr John Wildes for Meeting with Boxford Se-
lectmen in order to perambulating voted 030

15 The Town Allowed to John Perkins Jonathan Wildes

& Jacob Peabody six shillings for perambulating with
Ipswich voted 060

1 6 The Town Allowed seven shillings to Joseph Towne

Junr for Timber to mend Wheel brook Bridge in ye summer
past voted 070

17 The Town Allowed one shilling & six pence to Jacob

Peabody for Timber to mend the bridge over Isaac Peabody
Meadow ye Last Summer o 1 6

Topsfield December 17th 1730 Recd of John Wildes Con-
stable for ye year 1726 and for ye year 1727 five pounds in
full for both said years I say Received by me Nath11 Porter
Town Tr

A True Copy of the Receipt attest Jacob Peabody Town
Clerk

The freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Tops-
field such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for Voting are
hereby warned and Notified to meet together at the Meet-
ing house in said Town at two of the Clock after noon on
Tuseday the Twenty Second Currant

1 To Receive the Committes Return that was Chosen to
Treet with Mr Jacob Towne about the highway Laid out by
said Townes house and partly on said Towns Land. And To
do anything about said highway that the Town shall best by
themselves or agents:

2 To Reckon & settle acompts with ye overseers of the
poor viz Joseph Bordman & Thomas Gould

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Dated Topsfield December ye 16th 1730

Luke Averill Constable Nathaniel Bordman')

of Topsfield John Perkins | Select-

Jesse Dorman men of

Benjamin Towne | Topsfield

John Wildes J

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield December yc 22nd
1730

1 Cap1 John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meeting

voted

2 The Town agreed that whereas there hath been a Road

Lately Laid out on one side of Mr Jacob Townes Land; to
meet with the Road which Leads from ye River Bridge
through ye Land that was formerly Common to said Townes
And the said Jacob Townes first Division of Common
Land in Topsfield Lying on both sides of said Road: The sd
Jacob Towns shall have Liberty to hang two gates on sd
Road where he shall think best against his own Land, and
also that ye whole of said Townses stone wall which is a
whole wall that is against the sd Road may stand without
being removed: And also the town is to pay six pound
unto the said Jacob Townes for the Damages Done by sd
Road voted

3 The Town agreed that ye selectmen shall Reckon with

& settle acompts with the overseers of the poor to wit Mr
Joseph Bordman & Mr Thomas Gould voted

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Qualified for voting as the Law di-
rects: Are hereby Warned and Notified To Assemble and
Meet together at the Meeting house in said Town on Wed-
nesday the Twentieth Day of Jany Currant At one of ye
Clock afternoon on sd day

1 To Elect & Depute a Person to serve for & Represent
them In a General Court or Assembly to be hild at Boston
2ly To see if the Town will Agree to have Lectures Datd
Topsfield January the 5th 1730

Luke Averill Constable of Topsfield John Perkins

John Wildes
Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield January yc 20th
1730-31

1 Cap1 John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meeting

voted

2 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen to Represent the Town at

ye General Court at the Next session of sd Court to be held
at Boston voted

3 Ens Ivory Hovey Mr Thomas Gould and Jacob Peabody
are Chosen a Committe to Discourse with our Reverend
Mr Emerson to see if he will Please to Preach Lectures to us

voted

Topsfield June 3, 1730: Received of Mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer by the hand of his son Ivory five pounds in
full for my half years Salary from September ye second to
the second of Last March: by me John Emerson

Topsfield March 7th 1729-30 Recd of Mr. Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer ye sum of fifteen pounds Ten shillings in
full for the second hundred pounds settlement by me

John Emerson

The Two Receipts above written by me are True Copies
Attest Jab Peabody Town Cler

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for vot-
ing; are hereby warnd to Assemble and meet together at y°
meeting house in Topsfield, on Tuseday the second day of
March next at Eight of the Clock in the morning

To Make Choice of Town Clerk, Constables, Selectmen,
Town Treasurer And other Town officers annually to be
Chosen by the Direction of the Law; also to Reckon & set-
tle accompts with our Town Treasurers; also to accept of
the return of the selectmens Laying out of a highway for Mr
George Bixby from his Land, to the Road that Leadeth
from Mr Jacob Towne To the Town Bridge: also to Choose
a Committe to agree with Mr David Commings for ye fence
he hath set up about the Parsonage Also to accept of the
Return of the selectmens Turning the highway by Mr Sam-
uel Howlets Also to see what the Town will do [with] what
Money & goods the selectmen have in their hands that they
Received of the overseers of the poor. Datd Topsfield Feb-
ruary the 18th 1730

22 EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Luke Averill Constable of Topsfield Nathaniel Bordman

Jesse Dorman
John Perkins
John Wildes
Bedja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield

At A Legal Town meeting In Topsfield March ye 2nd
I730-I

1 Cap1 John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this Meet-
ing voted

2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for‘ye year En-
suing voted

3 Mr Sam11 Bradstreet & Mr Matthew Peabody are Chosen

Constables for ye year Ensuing voted

4 Ens Ivory Hovey is Chosen Town Treasurer for ye

year Ensuing voted

5 Cap1 John Howlett Joseph Herrick, John Wildes, Ben-
jamin Towne, & Jacob Peabody are Chosen Selectmen for

the year Ensuing voted

6 Joseph Robinson, Aaron Estey, & Nathan Bixby: are

Chosen Tythingmen for ye year Ensuing voted

7 Mr John Hovey is Chosen Sealler of Leather for the

Ensuing year voted

8 Joseph Andrew, Eliezer Lake, William Perkins & Joseph

Towne Junr are Chosen Surveyers of highways for ye Ensu-
ing year voted

9 Lieu1 Zacheus Gould, Jesse Dorman & Benjamin How

are Chosen fence viewers for ye year Ensuing voted

10 Mr William Reddington is Chosen Schoolmaster for

ye year Ensuing voted

11 Gedion Towne & John Towne Junr are Hogreeves for

ye year Ensuing voted

12 The Town agreed & ordered the Selectmen to Reckon

& settle accompts with the Town Treasurers voted

13 The Town accepted of the Return of the selectmens
Laying out a way for George Bixby, from said Bixbies own
Land over Israel Townes Land to the Road that Leads from
Mr Jacob Townes: to the Town bridge (so Called) Provided
that ye said Bixby shall Pay the Cost that shall arise thereby

voted

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

14 The Town Accepted of yc Return of yc selectmens

Turning the way from Samuel Howletts gate by Nath11
Capens orchard to the Training field voted

15 Mr Jacob Estey, Mr David Balch & Mr Joseph Robin-

son are Chosen a Committe to agree with David Commings
about the fence he hath set up about the Parsonage And
also the said Committe are Impowered to Divide fence
with y° Proprietors of bare hill so far as said Proprietors
Joyn upon ye Parsonage voted

17 Whereas there is some of ye Estate of the Widow

Mary Averill (Late of Topsfield deceased:) In the hands of
the selectmen: The Town do now order that the sd Estate
shall be Delivered unto Mary Jackson or her order if there
be oppurtunity for it she being a Daughter of said Deceased,
& a poor widow voted

18 The Town having heard the acompt of Mr Nath11 Por-

ter a former Town Treasurer do now aquit and discharge y°
sd Treasurer from all dues or demands on that account he
Paying all former orders voted

The Town officers all sworn on ye 2nd & on y° 9th days of
March 1730-31 Except y° assessors

At A Lawfull Meeting of the selectmen of Topsfield De-
cember the 25 11730 we Laid out a Perticular, or highway,
for Mr George Bixby, Beginning at the south Easterly Cor-
ner of the said Bixbies own Land: Where his now dwelling
house is so Running straight on in the same Range of Lotts
A Cross Israeel Townes Land-and Coming into the high-
way (that Leadeth from Mr Jacob Townes to ye River
bridge) by a Tree standing in y° said Israel Towns wall :
and we Laid it out two Rods wide upon the Southerly side
of the Middle Range of Lotts: so Called by the proprietors
or Lot Layers

Nathaniel Bordmanl

Jesse Dorman | Selectmen

John Perkins <(

John Willdes I of Topsfield

Benja Towne J

At A Lawfull Meeting of the selectmen of Topsfield De-
cemr yc 11th 1730 We altred the Laying of the highway

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

that Lycth from Samuel Howlets Gate To the County Road :
and Layed it from said Gate by Mr Nath11 Capens orchard
Turning Round as sd Capens fence now standeth to the
and we Laid it out Two rods wide.

Nath11 Bordman
John Wildes
Benja Towne

Training field

Selectmen
of Topsfield

written are True Copies attest

The Two Returns above
Jacob Peabody Town Cle

An account of ye remains of ye Estate of ye widow Mary
Averil, Deceased

January ye 25 :173c) Then Reckoned and settled accompts
with the overseers of the poor and all accompts Cleard with
them: and there Remains in our hands that we have Re-
ceived of them; Eight shillings & six pence And one sute of
silk Crape Cloths for a woman; two pairs of old stockins
and an old boulster, one Bible & severall pieces of Books
We both parties have set to our hands John Perkins

Joseph Borman
Thomas Gould

. e Nath11 Bordman

overseers of y« poor John wi!deg

Selectmen of Topsfield
A True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody T :Cle
Topsfield January :25 : 1730-3 1 Received of Mr Ivory
Hovey Town Treasurer ye sum of Eleven Pounds seven shil-
lings & Eight pence in full, for my half years Salary from
March 2 : 1729-30 to Sept 2:1730

I say Recd by me John Emerson
Topsfield March 2 : 1730-3 1 Received of Mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer the sum of fifty pounds in full for my Last
years sallary from September 2 11730 to March 2 : 1730-3 1
I say Received by me John Emerson
£50-800-d00 The two Recipts above written are True
Copies Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The freeholders & other Inhabitance of the Town of Tops-
field such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for Voting are
hereby warned & Notified to meet together at the Meeting
house in Topsfield on Thursday the Eighteenth Currant at
Two of the Clock on sd day

1 To Choose Jurymen for Ipswich Court

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

2 To see if the Town will Give Liberty for swine to go at
Large

3 To Receive the Return of the Committe that was to Di-
vide fence with the Proprietors of Bare Hill

4 To see if the Town will give Liberty to Build a Pew or
Pews in the meeting house

5 To Choose a man or men to Repair the meeting house

Also to allow bills of charge

Datd Topsfield March ye 9th 1730-31 John Howlett

Matthew Peabody Constable of Topsfield John Wildes

Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield

At A Legal Town Meeting In Topsfield March ye 18th
1730-31

1 Mr Thos Gould is Chosen Moderator for this meeting

voted

2 Mr Tobjah Perkins is Chosen to serve on ye Grand jury:

& Lieu1 Zacheus Gould & Mr Jonathan Wildes are Chosen
to serve on ye Jury of Tryalls at the Next Inferiour Court to
be holden at Ipswich voted

3 The Town Doth give Liberty for swine to go at Large

in this Town according as the Law gives Liberty voted

4 The Town allowed to John Perkins one pound Eight
shillings for sweeping the meeting house in ye year 1730

voted 180

5 The Town allowed to Samuell Smith Ten shillings for

Timber to mend or make the Bridge by Nathan Bixbyes in
ye year 1730 voted o 10 o

6 The Town Allowed to CapP Joseph Gould seven shill-

ings for Timber to Mend ye bridge by Nathan Bixbyes in
ye year 1730 voted 070

7 The Town allowed to Daniel Gould three shillings for

Timber to mend or make ye bridge by Nathan Bixbies in
1730 voted 030

8 The Town allowed to Lieu1 Zacheus Gould seven shill-

ings, for Timber to Make the bridge by Nathan Bixbys; in
ye year 1730 voted 070

9 The Town allowed to William Reddington Twenty shil-
lings for Being Schoolmaster for ye Town in ye year 1730

voted 100

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

10 Ens Ivory Hovey & Jacob Peabody are Chosen a Com-

mitte to take Care to Repair ye Meeting house voted

11 And the sd Committe are to Discourse with mr John
Prichard in the first place to see if they can agree with sd
Prichard to doo the work of Repairing ye meeting house

voted

12 The Town accepted of ye Committies Return of divid-

ing fence with ye proprietors of Bare Hill Pasture. And also
of their agreement with David Commings for ye fence he
had formerly set up on ye Parsonage Line: which was for
two pounds four shillings. 2 4 O

13 The Town Allowed to Thomas Dwinel & Joseph Town

JunrTwo pounds Nine shillings & Eight pence: for fifteen
Rods of fence, which they have set up this Spring on ye par-
sonage Line next to bare hill Pasture voted 298

14 The Town Allowed to Lieu1 Zacheus Gould sixteen shill-
ings and ten pence for three Rods & a Quarter and half a
Quarter of stone [wall which] will bring the Norwest End of
his wall between the parsonage & Bare hill pasture

voted o 16 10

We Whose Names are under written being a Committe
Chosen by ye Town of Topsfield to agree with Mr. David
Comings for some fence he set up about the parsonage:
Also to divide fence with the proprietors of bare Hill that
Joyn to the parsonage: Likewise we have seen sd Com-
minges fence & find it to be Eleven Rods of stone wall and
two foot And we have agreed to give him for it Two pounds
four shillings 2 40 And we did Notifie ye Proprietors of bare
Hill: to Appear: and some did not: and we find the men
that Joyn Lands to be Lieu1 Zacheus Gould, and Luke
Averill, and William Perkins, and said Goulds Land Joyns
six Poles & three Quarters And Averills Joyns Ten Poles
and one third part of a pole: — And Perkins Joyn Thirty
two Poles and three foot and we set Bounds in ye Middle of
Each Mans Lott, and we Chose the Norwest End of Each of
their Lotts Jacob Estey

March 18th 1730-31 David Balch

Joseph Robinson

This is a True Copy of ye Return Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

2 7

Essex ss To Mr Samuel Bradstreet, Constable of yc Town
of Topsfield; Greeting. In his Majesties Name you are here-
by Required to Notify & warn all the Freeholders; & other
Inhabitants on ye North side of ye River, in Topsfield ; Such
as are Quallified as ye Law directs for Voting: To meet at

ye Meeting house in said Town on ffryday ye fourteenth day
of May Currant, at three of the Clock in ye after noon first
To Chuse a Representative.

2 To see if the Town will give order to ye Committe that
is to Repair the Meeting house; to Draw Money out of ye
Town Treasurey for said Service.

3 To see if ye Town will Chuse a Committe to Petition to
the General Court or use any other Lawfull Means to have a
fish Corse Cleared up Ipswich River.

4 To all[ow] Bills of Charge

5 To see what the Town will doe with ye intrest of their
Loan Money

6 To see if the Town will Chuse a Committe to settle
bounds with Boxford : or doe anything about said Line
that ye Town shall then think best

And Make Return of your doings herein: unto one or
more of ye Selectmen of said Town one hour at Least before
said time of Meeting: as you will Answer the Contrary at ye
Perrill of ye Law John Howlett

Dated Topsfield May ye 13th 1731 Joseph Herrick

John Wildes
Benja Towne
Jacob Peabody
Selectmen of Topsfield

Essex ss Persuant to the within order from the selectmen
of Topsfield : I have warned the freeholders and other In-
habitants of Topsfield on the North side of the River duly
Quallified to vote to assemble & meet at time & place to act
upon the several Perticular Articles within Mentioned

Datd Topsfield May the 14th 1731 Samuel Bradstreet Con-
stable of Topsfield

A True Copy of ye warrant & Return attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk

The Inhabitants of the south side of ye river being Like-
wise warned the meeting was as followeth

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 14th 1731

1 Cap1 John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen to Represent the Town at

ye General Court, on ye Twenty sixth day of May Currant:
And so at the several sessions of ye s'1 Court voted

3 The Town gave order, to Ens Ivory Hovey & Jacob

Peabody to draw sixteen pound out of the town Treasurey
to Enable them to go on with ye Repairing the Meeting
house voted

4 The Town hath made Choice of Cap1 Joseph Gould the

present Representative To Joyn with ye Persons that are or
may be Chosen by the neighbouring Towns to prefer a Peti-
tion to this General Court in order to git a fish Corse Cleard
up Ipswich river voted

5 Mr Benjamin Towne is Chosen to Procure the Copies

of the petitions that has been Put in to the: sessions of ye
Peace: for ye Gitting a fish Corse Cleared up Ipswich river
and the Courts order upon it. sd Towne is to deliver sd Copies
to Cap1 Joseph Gould to Enable him to Manage the Petition
at the General Court voted

6 Mr Benja Towne is ordred to draw Twenty shillings

out of the Town Treasurey to defray the Charge of sd

Copies voted 100

7 The Town Allowed Twelve shillings to Eliezer Lake,
Tobijah Perkins, and Jacob Peabody: for their trouble in
taking in ye intrest of the Towns Loan Money for ye year
past & disposing of the same according to the Towns order

voted

8 The Town ordred that the Towns part of the Intrest of

the Loan money shall be paid in to the Town Treasurer for
the Towns Use he giving a Receipt for ye same : And the
Trustees are to send the Rest of ye Intrest of sd Loan to the
province Treasurer as ye Law directs voted

9 Mr Thomas Gould Mr John Curtis & John Hovey are
Chosen a Committe And Impowred to Joyn with ye Com-
mitte that is or may be Chosen by the Town of Boxford, to
settle the bounds on ye Line between Topsfield & Boxford
According to the Last Resolve of the General Court Refer-
ing to sd Line (Excepting that part of the Line from An-

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

drewses Dam ; to fishing Brook) and said Committe are
Impowred to settle a straight Line from said Dam to the
fishing Brook: as near as they Can, to ye Place where the
Revilet Mentioned in said Resolve did run into fishing brook
at ye time when ye said Resolve passed at the General Court :
According to the best Information that May be had : by
Liveing Evidence, haveing a like Regard to the benefit of
Each Town voted

We whose Names are under written being a Committe
Chosen and Impowred by the Towns of Topsfield and Box-
ford Respectively, to settle the bounds between Topsfield and
Boxford : according to the Last Resolve of the General
Court. Anno: 1707: have accordingly settled the Line be-
tween said Topsfield and Boxford: from the Apple Tree in
Capt Perleys field, to a stake and heap of stones at the south
easterly corner of Mr Bakers farm now in Boxford: and
from thence to a damm Called Andrewses damm Near Mr
Thomas Goulds house; and from thence being the Place
where ye water now Runs under sd damm : thence south-
erly to a stake and heap of stones by the fishing Brook, on
ye Easterly side of the Revolet Runing into sd Brook: and
then as the said Book runs into the River Called Ipswich
River: then up said River to Middleton Line.

Datd Topsfield June 17th 1731 John Hovey

This is a True Copy of the Return Thos Perley
of the settlement of the bounds or Thos Gould
Line Between Topsfield & Boxford. Thomas Pearley Junr
Attest Jacob Peabody John Andrew

Town Clerk John Curtis

The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield, such as are duly Quallified as the Law directs for
voting; are hereby warned, and Notified to Meet together
at ye Meeting house in said Topsfield : on Wednesday, the
fifteenth of September Currant at one of the Clock after noon
1st To see What Advice & Instruction said Town will Give
to their Representative Refering to his Majesties Thirteenth
Instruction To his Excellency in supplying the Treasarery:
2ndiy T0 Choose Jurymen for Newbery Court. 3rdly To
allow bills of Charge

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

4 To see if sd Town will Agree to have Contributions for
Mr Emerson and how often they shall be: dated Topsfield
Sep1 ye 8th 1731 Benjamin Towne by order

Matthew Peabody Constable of the Selectmen of Topsfield

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield Sep1 15th 1731.

1 Cap1 John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 John Prichard & William Reddington are Chosen to

serve on ye Jury of Tryalls at the Next Inferiour Court to be
holden at Newbery voted

3 The Town allowed to Jacob Reddington three shillings

for Timber to mend highways in 1731 030

4 The Town allowed Two shillings to George Byxbe for a

hollow Log to Lay in a gutter voted 020

5 The Town Allowed one pound Eight shillings and three

pence to Eliezer Lake & Joseph Towne Junr as Surveyuers
for Two Tun, & thirty three feet of Timber to Mend the
Bridge over ye River in June 1731; voted 1-8-3

6 The Town Allowed Eight shillings to the Heirs of

Joseph Commings Late of Topsfield deceased: for About
two Rod of stone wall which sd Commings Made about the
Parsonage said 8s to be paid to Jacob Peabody: for the sole
Use & benefit of ye sd heirs voted

The freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Tops-
field such as are Quallified as the Law directs for voting are
Notified and Warned to meet at the Meeting house in said
Town on Tuseday the seventh of December Next at Twelve
of the Clock on said day: first to see How Much Money
said Town will agree to have Raised to defray Town Charges

Secondly, To allow Bills of Charge John Howlet

Dated Topsfield November ye 24th 1731 John Wildes

Samuel Bradstreet Constable of Benja Towne

Topsfield Selectmen of Topsfield

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield December ye 7th
1731

1 Cap1 John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meeting

voted

2 The Town Allowed to Jacob Peabody 14-12-7 for Sun-

darys bought and work done towards Repairing of the meet-
ing house in 1731 voted 14 12 7

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

3 1

3 The Town Allowed to Ens Ivory Hovey 7-12-2 for

several things bought for the Repairing the Meeting house
in the year 1731 voted 7 12 2

4 The Town Allowed to Ens Ivory Hovey & Jacob Pea-

body To pay for glazzing the Meeting house in the year
1731 voted 750

5 The Town Allowed to William Reddington o 9s o for

specks to fasten up the Troughs on the Meeting house
in ye year 1731 voted 090

6 The Town Allowed to Ens Ivory Hovey & Jacob Pea-

body I4s-6d for work done by Nathan Hood on ye meeting
house in July Last voted o 14-6

7 The Town Allowed to Nathaniel Capen 5-0-0 for find-

ing materials and building the Pew which Mrs Emerson sits
in on Sabbath Days voted 5 O o

8 The Town Allowed To Nathaniel Capen one pound for
boarding John Safford & keeping his horse while he set the
glass in the meeting house in the year 1731 voted 100

9 The Town Agreed that this Meeting should be Ad-

journed to Tuseday the fourteenth Currant at Twelve of the
Clock on said day voted

The Moderator Adjournd the Meeting accordingly

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield held by adjourn-
ment from ye 7th Day of December 1731 To the 14th day of
the same month and then Met, first The Town Allowed to
Daniel Gould 2s for Timber to Mend the bridge by Nathan
Bixbies in ye year 1730 voted 0-2-0

2 The Town allowed to Ens Ivory Hovey & Jacob Pea-

body 14s for half a thousand of short shingles: bought of
Daniel Gould to repair the meeting house voted o 14 o

3 The Town allowed to Jesse Dorman five shillings for

two string pieces for the bridge by Jacob Dormans in ye year
1731. voted 050

4 The Town allowed To Thomas Baker six shillings, for
Timber to Mend the bridge by Jacob Dormans in 1731

voted 060

5 The Town allowed to Jacob Robinson four shillings for

timber voted 040

6 The Town allowed to Nathan Bixby five shillings for

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Carting five hundred of board from Salem to the Meeting
house this year 050

7 The Town Allowed to Jacob Averill three shillings & 4d

for slabs to mend mile Brook Bridge 034

8 The Town allowed to John Perkins one shilling & six

pence for Timber voted 010

9 The Town Allowed to Ens Ivory Hovey & Jacob Pea-
body Twenty six pound for work done on ye meeting house
by mr John Prichard & his son Eli Prichard in ye year 1731

voted 26 o o

10 The Town Agreed that the Selectmen shall Levey a

Tax of Twenty pound (besides the Bills of Charge that are
already allowed) to Defray Town Charges voted

Topsfield November: 18: 1731 Received of Mr Ivory
Hovey Town Treasurer the sum of two pounds Ten shillings
in full for my half years Salary from March 2: 1731 to
September 2 : 1731 by me John Emerson

The receipt Last Entered is a True Copy Attest

Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

These are to Notifie the freeholders and other Inhabitants
of Town of Topsfield Quallified as the Law directs for voting
to meet at ye Meeting house in said Town on Tuseday the
seventh day of March next At Eight of the Clock in ye
morning

1st To Choose Town Officers as the Law directs

2 To Allow bills of Charge, and also to Reckon with the
Town Treasurer

Datd Topsfield ffebruary 23rd 173 1-2 John Howlett

John Willdes
Benja Towne
Jacob Peabody
Selectmen of Topsfield

At A LegallTown Meeting In Topsfield March 7th 173 1-2

1 Cap1 John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for ye year En-
suing voted

3 John Perkins & Aaron Estey are Chosen Constables for

ye year Ensuing voted

• OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

4 The said Aaron Estey agreed with: and the Town ac-

cepted of Thomas Dwinel to serve as Constable in the room
or stead of said Estey voted

5 Ens Ivory Hovey is Chosen Town Treasurer for y® year

Ensuing voted

6 Thomas Gould Quartermaster Nathaniel Bordman,

George Byxbe Richard Towne, & Joseph Dorman are Chos-
en Selectmen for ye year Ensuing voted

7 John Hovey is Chosen Sealer of Leather for y® year En-
suing voted

8 John Towne, Thomas Dwinel, & Jacob Dorman, are

Chosen Tythingmen for the year Ensuing voted

9 Daniel Redington Jur Jacob Redington, William Rogers

& John Towne Junr are Chosen Surveyars of highways for
ye year Ensuing voted

10 Nathaniel Porter, Eliezer Lake, & Thomas Baker, are

Chosen fence viewers for ye year Ensuing voted

11 Benjamin How, & Joseph Towne Junr are Chosen Hog-

reaves for ye year Ensuing voted

12 John Dwinel & Samuel Curtis are Chosen field drivers

for ye year Ensuing voted

The Several Persons above named, that were Chosen to
office who the Law Requires to be sworn : All toke the oath
belonging to there Respective offices on the seventh & on
ye Tenth days of March 173 1-2 Except William Rogers and
Jacob Dorman

Entred by order of the selectmen

p Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Lawfully Quallified for voting are here-
by Notified & warned to Conven together at the meeting
house on Tuseday ye Twenty first of this Instant att one of
the Clock after noon

1 To Choose three Jurymen one to Serve on y® Grand
Jury and the other on the Jury of Tryalls

2 To see what the Town will do Concerning Reckoning
with the Town Treasurer.

3 To see what the Town will do Concerning a School-
master.

4 To see if the Town will make Choice of a Committe to

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

New Seat the Meeting house and give them Instructions.

5 To see if the Town will Agree y1 Hogs shall run at Large

6 To Allow Bills of Charge

Datd Topsfield March ye 17th 1731-2 Richard Towne by
order of the Selectmen

Thomas Dwinel Constable of Topsfield

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield March 21st 173 1-2

1 Mr Thomas Gould is Chosen moderator for this meeting

2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen to Serve on ye grand jury for

ye year Ensuing voted

3 Mr Simon Bradstreet & William Perkins are Chosen to

ye Jury of Tryalls At the Next Inferior Court to be holden
at Ipswich voted

4 Cap1 John Howlett Mr Eliezer Lake & Mr George
Bixby are Chosen a Committe to provide a Schoolmaster
for the Town and agree with him for ye year Ensuing voted

5 The Town agreed that the said Committe shall order
the School to be kept two thirds of the time on ye North
Side the River & one third on the south side of ye River

voted

6 Cap1 Joseph Gould, Mr Eliezer Lake, mr Jacob Dor-

man: mr Joshua Towne And mr Joseph Robinson: are
Chosen a Committee to New seat People in the meeting
house: and the Major part of them agreing it shall be
vallied voted

7 The Town [agreed] that Swine shall goe att Large the
year Ensuing according as the Law gives Liberty voted

8 The Town Gave Liberty To Mr Eliezer Lake mr George

Bixby, mr Joseph Herrick, Mr Daniel Redington Junr Phineas
Redington to Sit up a stable of thirty foot Long at the south-
erly End of Ipswich farmers stable voted

9 The Town Allowed to Cap1 Joseph Gould one pound

twelve shillings and three pence for his Expences in the
affair of the fish Corse voted 1-12-3

10 The Town Allowed to Cap1 Joseph Gould six shillings
for Timber to mend the highways in ye year 1731

voted 0-6-0

11 The Town Allowed to John Perkins one pound and

Eight shillings for sweeping the Meeting house the Last
year voted 1-8-0

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS. 35

12 The Town Allowed to William Redington Ten shillings
for Serving the Town as a Schoolmaster in ye year 1731

voted 0-10-0

Topsfield March: 7th I732: Received of mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer the sum of fifty pounds in full for my half
years Salary from September 2: 1731 to March 2 : 1732

by me John Emerson

A True Copie of the receipt Given by mr Emerson:
Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

Boston May 26 1731

Recd of the Trustees of Topsfield by Cap1 Joseph Gould,
Ten Pounds Eleven Shillings & three pence Intrest to the
r June 1731, for Mr Treasurer Allen P Eben Swan

A True Copie Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for vot-
ing are hereby Notified and warned to Convene together at
the meeting house on Wednesday the seventeenth day of
this Instant May; att two of the Clock in ye afternoon

1 To Choose a Representative to serve att the great and
general Court.

2 To see what the Town will do Concerning their being
fined for want of [a] Schoolmaster

3 To see how the Town will Improve the intrest of the
Loan Money

Dated Topsfield May the 12th 1732 Thomas Gould

John Perkins Constable of Topsfield Joseph Dorman

George Bixby
Richard Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 17th 1732

1 Mr John Hovey is Chosen Moderator for this meeting

voted

2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen to serve for and Represent

the Town at ye General Court voted

3 Cap1 John Howlett & Ens Ivory Hovey are Chosen
Agents for the Town To make Application to the Judges of
the Inferior Court at the next General Sessions of the peace
in the County of Essex. To try if they can git the fine

36 EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Abated which the Town is fined for want of a Schoolmaster

voted

4 The Town agreed yl ye Towns part of the intrest of
the Loan Money shall be Disposed of in Manner following
viz: Twelve shillings thereof is Allowed to the Trustees for
their trouble about the sd Loan in this Instant Month: and
the remaining part thereof of which is four pound thirteen
shillings & seven pence: the sd Trustees are to deliver to the
Committe for the School in order to pay the Schoolmaster
as far as that will goe. voted

Boston May 3 1 : 1732

Recd of the Trustees of Topsfieid for the £ 60000. ten
pounds Eleven shillings and three pence Intrest to June
1732. by Mr Jacob Peabody, for Mr Treasurer Allen.

Pr Eben Swan
Boston May 31st 1732

Recd of Mr Samuel Bradstreet Constable of Topsfieid sixty
pounds five shillings and Six pence in full: by mr Jacob
Peabody, for Mr Treasurer Allen,

Pr Eben Swan

The two Receipts Last Entred are True Copies attest Jacob
Peabody To11 Cle

The freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Tops-
field such as are Lawfully Quallified for Voting are hereby
Notified to Convene together at ve Meeting house on Tuse-
day ye fourteenth of this Instant Month at one of ye Clock
in ye afternoon on sd day.

1 To Chuse Jury men for Newbery Court according to
Warrant

2 To See if ye Town will give ye Committy y% was Chosen
to seat ye People in the Meeting house, Instructions: or
Chuse a New Committe, if they Refuse to serve.

3 To see if the Town will Chuse a man to go and know
the Reason yl ye fish Courses upon Ipswich River be not
opened according order

and to Doe any other thing or things yl shall be thought
Needful on sd day.

And Also to Allow Bills of Charge.

Datd Topsfieid September ye 9th 1732. Richard Towne by

John Perkins Constable of Topsfieid order of Selectmen

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

3 7

At A Legall Town meeting in Topsfield Sep1 14th 1732

1 Cap* John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 William Rogers & David Commings are Chosen to

serve on ye Jury of Tryalls at the Next Inferiour Court to be
holden at Newbery voted

3 Joseph Bordman, John Hovey, John Willdes, Joshua

Towne, & E :dmon Towne are Chosen a Committe to New
seat ye People; in ye Meeting house. voted

4 the sd Committe to observe ye following Instructions

in seating, viz. To show respect to persons above sixty
years of age before Money in younger men and then to
seat the rest of ye People according as they or their prede-
sessors paid to ye Last years Rates voted

5 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Agent for ye Town; to Joyn

with ye Agent for the Town of Reading, to Inquire of the
owners of the Severall Mills on Ipswich River, to know the
reason why they have not Made Convenient waists in their
Respective Mill Dams for a passage for fish, agreeable to an
order of the General Court, bearing date January 21 : 1731.
And in Case the owners of the several Mill dams, Mentioned
in sd order of Court, or Either of them, shall refuse, or any
Longer Neglect, to make a Convenient Waist in Each of
their Respective Mill dams, for the free passing & repassing
of fish According to sd order of the General Court; then ye
sd agent is to Petition to ye General Court with ye agent for
Reading, in order to git the same Effected voted

6 The Town Allowed Ten pound, six shillings, & five
pence, to the Committe for the School, Which (with

7d which is already allowed) is to pay the Schoolmaster for
five Months Service voted 10-6-5

7 The Town allowed one pound Twelve shillings, to the
Committe for ye School to pay the widow Dorothy Robison
for boarding the schoolmaster one month this summer

The Town allowed four pounds Nine shillings to Ens Ivory
Hovey for work done by Nathan Hood on ye Meeting house
& for oyl, Nails & Spanish brown in 1732 voted 4 9 o

9 the Town allowed to Ens Ivory Hovey Ten shillings
for his trouble in taking the Care of repairing the Meeting
house voted o 10 o

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

10 the Town allowed to Ens Ivory Hovey sixteen shillings
for his time & Expences in gitting off the fine which was
Laid upon ye Town for want of a Schoolmaster voted 0160

11 The Town Allowed Sixteen shillings to Cap1 John
Howlett for his time And Expences in gitting off the fine
which was Laid upon the Town for want of a Schoolmaster

voted o 16 o

12 The Town Allowed Ten shillings to Jacob Peabody for
his trouble in taking Care of repairing the Meeting house

voted 0100

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield, such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for vot-
ing, are hereby Notified, and warned to Conven together, at
the Meeting house in Topsfield, on Tuseday the Seventh of
this Instant Month, at one of ye Clock in the after noon.

1 To see if ye Town will raise money to defray the Town
Charges.

2 To see if the Town will see fit To Build seats or pews
in the Meeting house or give any other person or persons
Leave.

3 To see if the Town will provide Samuel Howlett, a way
to Come at his Meadow, on the south side of the River.

4 To Allow bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield November ye Ist 1732. Richard Towne by

Thomas Dwinel Constable of Topsfield. order of the

Selectmen of Topsfield

At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield November 7th
1732

1 Capt John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 John Hovey is Chosen to Enter the votes at this meet-
ing voted

3 The Town agreed to raise sixty five pounds, to defray

Town Charges And for our Deputy Dea11 Jacob Peabody if
need be voted

4 The Town allowed to mr Eliezer Lake & mr George

Bixby three pound for money they have paid to the School-
master voted

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

5 The Town agreed that there shall be seats built upon
the East, South and West sides of the meeting house where
there is Convenient places (not formerly Granted) upon the
Towns Cost voted

There is taken up by John Wildes of Topsfield, a Bay
horse with a black Tail & Main, about thirteen hands high:
the sd horse hath no brand nor Ear mark: but is a very
Large Trotter.

Recd to be put on Record November ye 6th 1732

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Lawfully Qualified for voting: are
hereby Notified To Conven together at the Meeting house,
on Tuseday the sixth of March Next at Eight of ye Clock in
the morning

1 To Choose a Town Clerk Constables, Selectmen Town
Treasurer & other Town Officers as the Law directs. 2ly To
see if the Town will Grant Liberty to Mr Jacob Towne to
Erect a third gate upon the highway between the said Towne
and Mr Redington : also to see if the Town will Let them
Improve the way in the Common Lott

3 ly To Choose Jurymen for Ipswich Court 4ly To allow
bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield ffebruary ye 23rd 1732-3 Richard Towne

Thomas Dwinel Constable of Topsfield by order of

the selectmen

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 6th
1732-3

1 Cap1 John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this Meeting

voted

2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for the year En-
suing voted

3 Samuel Smith & Doc1 Michael Dwinel are Chosen Con-
stables for ye year Ensuing voted

4 Ens Ivory Hovey is Chosen town Treasurer for the year

Ensuing voted

5 Cap1 John Howlett, David Balch, John Wildes, William

Redington, and Tobijah Perkins, are Chosen selectmen for
ye year Ensuing voted

6 John Hovey is Chosen sealler of Leather for the year

Ensuing voted

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

7 Aaron Estey, Jonathan Perkins, & Daniel Gould, are

Chosen Tythingmen for ye year Ensuing voted

8 Joseph Andrew, Matthew Peabody, and Joshua Towne
are Chosen Survayers of highways for the year Ensuing voted

9 Mr Joseph Herrick, & mr Joseph Towne are Chosen

fence viewers for ye year Ensuing voted

10 John Dwinel, & Samuel Boyd, are Chosen Hogreaves

for ye year Ensuing voted

n The Town x^llowed Twelve pound to the Committe
for ye School to pay the Schoolmaster for the Last four
Months Service in keeping School voted 12 00 oo

12 The Town allowed Ten shillings to Jacob Redington

for a Tun of white oak Timber voted oo io 00

13 The Town Allowed Ten shillings to Quarmr Nath11

Bordman for his Service at Boston in Trying to prevent Mid-
dletons being made a Township voted 00 10 00

14 The Town allowed Twenty shillings to Ens Ivory Hovey

for his trouble in Serveing as Town Treasurer for four years
Last past voted 1 o O

15 The Town Allowed Twenty five pounds, thirteen shill-

ing to Jacob Peabody for Representing the Town at the
General Court in ye year past voted 25 13 o

16 The Town Allowed two shillings to Ens Ivory Hovey
for Timber to Mend the high ways in 1731 & 1732

voted 020

The Several Officers Chosen at the above said Meeting:
which the Law Requires to be Sworn: All appeared at the
house of Mr Daniel Clark Innholder in Topsfield : immedi-
ately after the said Meeting was over and then took the oath
belonging to their Respective offices. Excepting Aaron
Estey

At a Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 20th
1732-3

1 Mr Joseph Herrick is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Mr Nath11 Bordman is Chosen to serve on ye grand jury

for ye year Ensuing voted

3 Mr Phineas Redington, and mr Solomon Gould, are
Chosen to serve on ye Jury of Tryals at the next Inferiour
Court to be holden at Ipswich for ye County of Essex voted

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

4 Mr Thomas Gould, Mr Nathaniel Porter & Mr David

Balch : are Chosen A Committe to provide a Schoolmaster
for the Town, for ye year Ensuing voted

5 The Town agreed that swine shall or May go at Large

the year Ensuing they being well yoked and ringed as the
Law Directs voted

6 The Town Allowed four shillings to Jacob Peabody for

damage done to Joseph Hows Ladder when in the Towns
Use voted

7 The Town Allowed to John Perkins one pound Eight

shillings for sweeping ye meeting house ye Last year voted

8 The Town Allowed five shillings: to Thomas Perkins

for an Iron Cap for the top of the vein post on the meeting
house it was put on in 1731 voted

9 The Town Allowed one pound one shilling to Joshua

Towne it being an abatement of the Rates for Ebenr Rus-
sells head voted

We the Subscribers Being appointed by ye selectmen of
our several Towns viz Wenham and Topsfield to Renew, &
Perambulate bounds between our Respective Towns as the
Law directs, have Accordingly Attended sd Service and have
Renewed the bounds, according to settlement of the Bounds
Between our towns in the year 1682: which bounds we do
agree unto as witness our hands.

Datd in Topsfield May ye 2nd 1733 Thos Tarbox

Benjamin ffisk

A True Copy of the return of peram* John Perkins
bulation with Wenham attest Jacob Willm Reddington.

Peabody Town Cle :

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified for Voting as the Law Di-
rects, are hereby Notified and warned to Convene together
at the Meeting house in Topsfield on Tusday ye fifteenth
day of May Currant at one of the Clock afternoon then and
there to Elect and Depute a Man to serve for and Represent
our Town in a Great and General Court or Assembly to be
Convened held & kept for his Majesties service at ye Court
house in Boston up [on] Wednesday the thirtieth Day of May
Instant, and to see how ye will order or agree that the School
shall be kept and in what part of the Town and how often

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

to be removed and to see if ye Town will allow a gate to be
hanged acrose the Road beyond Nathan Bixbys house and to
alow Bills of Charge

John Howlett ) Selectmen

Tobijah Perkins > of

William Reddington j Topsfield
Michael Dwinel Constable of Topsfild

At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 15th 1733

1 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen Moderator for this Meet-
ing voted

2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen to serve for & Represent ye
Town at ye Great and General Court to be held & kept at ye
Town house in Boston on ye 30th day of May Currant and
so in ye several Sessions of sd Court till it be disolved voted

3 The Town allowed six shillings To Nathaniel Porter,
Joseph Town and John Wildes for Perambulating with Salem
men on ye 30th day of Aprill 1733

4 The Town allowed Eighteen shillings To Eliezer Lake,

Tobijah perkins & Jacob Peabody Trustees for ye Towns Last
Loan for their trouble in taking in the intrest of said Loan
this year voted 00 18 00

5 The Town Allowed to ye Comtee for ye School viz mr
Thos Gould Mr Nath11 Porter, & mr David Balch, four pound
Twelve shillings to pay the Schoolmaster for his service one
Month in keeping school he boarding himself voted 4-12-0

6 The Town Allowed six pounds to Jacob Peabody for
his serving at the General Court in Aprill Last voted 6-0-0

We the subscribers being Appointed to perambulate and
renew the Bounds between Salem and Topsfield accordingly
mett on the 30th of April 1733 and renewed the bounds Be-
gining at a white oak tree marked S. W. T. with a heap
of stones round it near Wenham Caseway, and from thence
to a black or red oak tree & stump with stones between ye
said tree is standing in Bixby’s orchard and marked S. T.
& from thence to a heap of stones near the Corner of Thom-
as Dwinells pasture, and from thence to a heap of stones
near Nickols’s Brook a little above the saw mill and so on the
same course to Nickols’s Brook.

Nathaniel Porter
Joseph Town
John Wilds

for

Topsfield

John Higginson
John Cabot Junr
John Ward

for

Salem

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

This is a True Copy of the Return of Perambulation with
Salem attest. Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

We the Subscribers being appointed to perambulate and
renew the Bounds between Topsfield and Boxford accord-
ingly mett on the 4th of May 1733 and renewed the bounds.
Begining at the Apple tree in Cap11 Perleys field to a stake
and heap of stones at the southeasterly corner of mr Bakers
farm now in Boxford and from thence to a damm called
Andrews damm near to mr Thomas Goulds Hous and from
thence (being the place where the water now runs under
said damm) southerly to a stake and heap of stones by the
fishing Brook on the easterly side of the Revolet running
into said Brook and thence as sd Brook runs into the River
called Ipswich River and thence up said River to Middleton
line

Thomas Perley ^ . Joseph Andrew 1 f

Jeremiah Perlev > „ °l , Tobiiah Perkins > , ,

Nath11 Symonds $Boxford John Wilds $ Topsfield
A True Copy of the Return of Perambulation with Boxford
Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

Boston May 31: 1733

Recd of the Trustees of Topsfield Ten pound Eleven shill-
ings & three pence Intrest to ye Ist June 1733 for Mr Treas-
urer Allen. Pr Ebenr Swan

This is a True Copy attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

Topsfield July ye 4th 1732

Received of Mr Eliezer Lake & mr George Bixby two of
the School Committe for the Town of Topsfield the sum of
Nine pounds being in full as p agreement for three Months
teaching School in said Town I say Recd

P me Thomas Hicks

Topsfield October 19th 1732. Recd of Mr George Bixby
one of the School Committe for the Town of Topsfield, the
sum of Nine pounds it being in full for a Quarters teaching
School in said Town I say Recd

Pr me Thos Hicks.

Topsfield March ye 10th 1732-3. Recd of Mr George
Bixby and Mr Eliezer Lake School Committe for the Town
of Topsfield : the sum of Twelve pounds for four months

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

teaching School in said Town I say Recd

P me Thos Hicks

The three Receipts Last Entred are True Copies Attest
Jacob Peabody T : Cler.

Topsfield October 30: 1732.

Received of Mr Ivory Hovey Town Treasurer the sum of
Six pounds in full for my Last years salary from March 2nd

1732 to September 2 : 1732

pr me John Emerson

Topsfield Aprill 4th 1733. Received of mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer the Sum of Twenty five pounds which is ye
full of this within written order; and which is in full of my
Last years salary from September 2: 1732 to March 2:

1 733 •

As witness my hand John Emerson.

The two Receipts Last Entred are True Copies attest
Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

Topsfield January 19th 1732-33 Then Received of Mr
Ivory Hovey Town Treasurer ye sum of one pound twelve
shillings in full for my keeping the Schoolmaster the space
of one month I say received by me her

Dorothy X Robinson
mark

This is A True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Cler.

The freeholders, and other Inhabitants of ye Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified for Voting as ye Law Directs
are hereby Notified and Warned to Convene together at ye
Meeting house in Topsfield, on Tuseday ye 18th Day of Sep-
tember Currant at one of the Clock afternoon: then and
there to Choose two men according to Warrant: to serve on
ye Jury of Tryalls to be holden at Newberv on ye Last
Tuseday of this instant September: and to see how Much
Money the Town will agree to raise to Defray Town Charges ;
and to see what ye Town will Do Concerning hanging and
Maintaining a gate on ye way yt goeth through Mr John
Andrew’s Land to Boxford: And to see how the Town will
agree to Dispose of ye intrest of ye Towns Loan Money for
ye Last year, and to see if ye Town will abate Lieu1 Goulds
Rate Layd to him ye Last year for Andrew Mecanes head:
and to allow bills Charg

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

Datd September ye 14th 1733.

John Howlet Tobijah Perkins
David Balch John Wildes

[Torn] Town of Topsfield William Redington Selectmen

of Topsfid

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield Sep1 ye 18th 1733

1 Cap11 John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meeting

voted

2 Jacob Perkins Junr & John Perkins Junr are Chosen to

serve on ye Jury of Tryalls at ye Next Inferiour Court to be
holden at Newbery voted

3 Voted that the selectmen shall Raise a Tax of one hun-

dred and sixty five pounds for ye Ministry, and to defray the
other Town Charges this year voted

4 Voted that the Trustees of ye Towns Loan shall have

Eighteen shillings of ye intrest of said Loan for their trouble
in said Trust in ye Last year it being allowed to them on ye
fifteenth of May Last o1 18s od

And the Remaining part of sd intrest which is four pound
seven shillings and seven pence shall go to pay Jacob Pea-
body part of ye six pound y% was allowed to him by ye Town
on ye 15th Day of May Last

5 The Town allowed Two shillings to Mr Daniel Clark for
perambulating with Wenham men in ye year 1727

voted 020

6 The Town allowed four shillings to William Redding-

ton & John Perkins for Perambulating on ye Line with Wen-
ham men in 1733 voted 040

7 The Town allowed Eight shillings to Matthew Peabody

for Timber for bridges 1733 080

8 The Town Allowed six shillings to David Commings for

Timber for highways 1733 060

9 The Town Allowed one shilling & six pence to Benja

Towne for Timber for hiways o 1 o

Boston October 4th 1733. Recd of Mr Thomas Dwinel
Constable of Topsfield by mr Jacob Peabody Twenty pounds
six shillings & Ten pence in full

P Jer. Allen Treasurer

A True Copy attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Boston June 20th 1732

Recd of Mr Matthew Peabody Constable of Topsfield
Twenty one pound six shillings in full for Mr Treasurer
Allen: by mr Jacob Peabody

P Ebenr Swan

A True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field Such as are Quallified for Voting as the Law Directs:
are hereby notified and warned to Convene together at the
meeting house in Topsfield: on fryday the fourteenth Day
of December Currant at one A Clock afternoon then and
there to see what they will Do (or order to be done) with ye
watch house: And to see what the Town will do Concern-
ing a school house, Whither to Erect one or not: And to
make up accompts with ye Town Treasurer: And to make
up accompts with Mr Luke Averill Concerning some mon-
ey that he Received of Out Towns men towards our Minis-
ters or Town Rate when he was Constable; which he has
not given an account of: And to allow bills of Charge

John Howlett
Tobijah Perkins

Datd Topsfield Decembr 7th 1733 David Balch

William Reddington

Samuel Smith Constable of Topsfield Selectmen of Tops

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield December 14th

1733

1 Cap1 John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing • voted

2 Mr Daniel Clark, & mr Joseph Herrick are Chosen a

Committe; to Reckon with the Town Treasurer; and mr
William Reddington ye Clark of the present selectmen is to
Assist them in the said service voted

3 And said Committe are to make Report of their doings
in that affair: at the annual Town Meeting in March Next

voted

4 The Town Allowed Twenty three pounds to the School
Committee; to pay the Schoolmaster for his service in
keeping School; and for his board five months past voted

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

5 The Town Allowed thirteen shillings to Joseph An-

drew for Isaac Peabody for Timber to mend the Bridge by
Jesse Dormans & that near Jacob Peabodys: voted

6 The Town Allowed to Joseph Andrew surveyer Two

shillings & six pence for Jacob Averill for six slabs to mend
Mile brook Bridge this year voted

7 The Town allowed to Joseph Andrew for John Perkins

five shillings for Timber to mend the bridge between sd Per-
kinses and Joshua Towns house this year voted

Topsfield December ye 14: 1733

Recd of Mr Thomas Dwinel Constable ye sum sixteen
shillings and four pence in full : for all ye Rates Committed
to him to gather and pay to Me Pr me Ivory Hovey Town
Treasurer

This is a True Copy attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

December 19th 1733

There is taken up by William Rogers of Topsfield, A stray
stear Come in two years old: a Dark Collour, with a star
in his forehead, and some white on his hind feet: his Artifi-
cial marks are a slit in ye End of Each Ear, and a hole in
ye uper side of his right Ear, and a small Crop off the End
thereof and a halfpeney on ye uper side of the Left Ear

Essex ss Decr 17th 1733

We the Subscribers being appointed to Perambulate the
Line between the Towns of Ipswich and Topsfield, Met on
ye day above said ; and Perambulated said Line and Re-
newed the bounds in said Line by marking Trees and Lay-
ing Rocks. In witness whereof we have set our Hands the
year and Day above sd

Thomas Berry")

John Howlett > Committe Benja Crocker I Committe
Tobijah Perkins ) of Topsfield Nathaniel Hart j of Ipswich
1733 Aaron Potter J 1733

A True Copy from the original Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk.

Topsfield December 11th 1733 Received of Mr Ivory
Hovey Town Treasurer the sum of fourteen pounds in full
of my Last years sallary from March 2d 1733 to September
2nd 1733 as witness my hand John Emerson

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

A True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
Topsfield March ye 1733-4 Received of mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer the sum of Ten pounds in full for my half
years sailary from September 2nd 1733 to March 2: 1733-4
by me John Emerson

This is a True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
Topsfield flfebruary ye 28th 1734-5 then Recd of Jacob
Peabody one of the Trustees for the Towns Loan: the sum
of five pounds five shillings and seven pence it being the
Towns part of the intrest of the Loan Money which the
Town at a Town Meeting May 14th 1734 ordered the Trus-
tee to pay in to the Treasurer. I say Recd by me

Ivory Hovey

Treasurer for sd Town

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified for Voting as the Law Di-
rects are hereby Notified, and warned to Assemble and meet
together at the Meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday the
fift Day of March next Ensuing the Date hereof at Eight of
the Clock before noon : then and there to Choose a Town
Clerk, and other Town officers as the Law directs; and to
put in their votes for a County Treasurer: and to see if the
Town will agree and give order for the buying of a Town
Book and to see what the Town will Do Concerning School
Cost, Referring to a Petition to us from mr Joseph Herrick
and others, concerning y* Affair: which will appear at the
aforesd meeting and to Chuse a Committee to see that the
Proportionable part of the fence be Done on both parties
between our Parsonage and mr Daniel Clarks and Dan Clarks
Land : and to Allow bills of Charge

Datd Topsfield ffebruarv ye 19th 1733-4

John Howlett
John Wildes !

David Balch
Tobijah Perkins J
A True Copy of the Notification for ye Annual Town meet-

Samuel Smith
Constable of Topsfield

Selectmen

Topsfield

ing on ye fift of March 1733-4

Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Cler

These are to Certify those whom it may concern that the

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

several votes yfc passed at the two Town meetings in Tops-
field in March 1733-4 were kept on y° files and not Record-
ed till after this Book was bought

Jacob Peabody T Cle :

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield March 5th 1 73 3 — 4

1 Mr Nath11 Porter is Chosen Moderator for this meeting

voted

2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for the year En-
suing voted

3 Mr Jonathan Perkins & mr Joseph Perkins are Chosen

Constables for ye year Ensuing voted

4 Mr Ivory Hovey is Chosen Treasurer for ye Town for

ye year Ensuing voted

5 Mr Nath11 Porter Cap1 Joseph Gould Mr Eliezer Lake

Mr Joseph Robinson and Mr Benjamin Towne are Chosen
Selectmen for the year Ensuing voted

6 Mr John Hovey is Chosen sealler of Leather for ye year

Ensuing votep

7 Mr George Bixby, Mr David Balch & Mr William Red-
dington are Chosen Tythingmen for ye year Ensuing voted

8 Mr Joseph Herrick Mr Nathel Capen & Mr Joseph Pea-

body are Chosen Surveyers of Highwa[y]s for ye year En-
suing voted

9 Mr Luke Averill and mr Jacob Perkins Junr are Chosen

fenceviewers for the year Ensuing voted

10 Mr Dan Clark: Mr Thomas Perkins & Amos Dorman

are Chosen Hogreeves for ye year Ensuing voted

11 Then the Town Proceeded to bring in their votes for a
County Treasurer

12 The Town agreed to have a Town Book Bought, and

ordred Jacob Peabody to buy one & to Draw money out of
ye Town Treasury to Pay for it voted

13 Voted that the Town Treasurer shall Receive the sum
of Eleven shillings which Mr Luke Averill had in his hands
of the Towns Money & hath now Laid on ye Table

1 6 Voted that Mr Eliezer Lake & Cap1 John Howlett be a
Committee to Divide fence with Mr Daniel Clark viz. be-
tween sd Clarks first Division of Common Land and the Par-
sonage; and sd Committee to make up the Towns part of sd
fence

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

17 The Town agreed that all Such Parents or Masters that

Shall Send their Children or Servants to ye Towns Schools
shall pay four pence per week for each Childe or Servant for
their Schooling: and the Town to Make up what is wanting
to pay the Schoolmaster voted

18 Mr Jacob Dorman is Chosen to Serve on ye Grand

jury for ye year Ensuing voted

19 Mr John Prichitt & Mr John Wildes are Chosen to

Serve on ye Jury of Tryals at the next Inferiour Court to be
holdeti at Ipswich voted

20 The Town allowed to the Committe for ye School Elev-
en pound one shilling and four pence to pay the School-
master for his Service and board two Months & Twelve Days

voted 1 1- 1-4

21 The Town allowed to Benjamin How one pound Eight
shillings for Sweeping the meeting house one year past

voted 180

22 The Town allowed to Cap1 John Howlett three shillings

0-3-0 for Perambulating with Ipswich men on ve Line be-
tween ve Towns in 1733 and three shillings to Mr Tobijah
Perkins for ye Same Service voted 0-3-0

23 The Town allowed to mr John Wildes six shillings for

Gitting Some Warrants Entred in the Courts Records of per-
sons being warned out of Town voted

24 The Town allowed to Mr Tobijah Perkins and Mr John

Wildes four Shillings for Perambulating on ye Line with Box-
ford men voted 0-4-0

The Several Persons Chosen to office at the afore Said
Town meeting of whom an oath is Law Required: were all
Sworn to the faithfull Discharge of their Respective offices
immediately after the said meeting was over, before the Se-
lectmen : Excepting Nathel Capen Jacob Perkins Junr and
Joseph Peabody

Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of Topsfield Such
as are Lawfully Quallified for Voting are Notified and Warned
to Assemble and Meet together at ye Meeting house in Tops-
field on fryday the Twenty Second Day of March Currant at
three of Clock after noon on Said Day first to Choose a Com-
mittee to Supply the Town with a School master for ye year
Ensuing.

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

2 To See if the Town will Give Liberty for Swine to go at
Large

Datd Topsfield March the 14: 1733-4

Nathei Porter

Jonathan Perkins Constable of Topsfield Robinson

Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield
A True Copy of the Notification attest Jacob Peabody
Town Cler

At A Legal Towne Meeting in Topsfield March 22nd 1733-4

1 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Voted that Swine Shall or may go at Large this year
according as the Law gives Liberty.

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield, Such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for Vot-
ing are hereby Warned, & Notified, to Assemble, and Meet
together, at the Meeting house in Topsfield; on Tuseday the
fourteenth of May Currant at one of the Clock afternoon

1 To Chuse a Representative to Serve at the Great and
General Court to be hild at Boston.

2 To See if the Town will Make an addition to the Rever-
end Mr John Emersons Salary.

3 To See what ye Town will do Concerning a School mas-
ter this year.

4 To See what ye Town will do Concerning the Carrying
in the fifth part of the Loan Money, and the intrest of the
whole Loan belonging to said Town.

5 To Allow bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield May the Tenth 1734. Nathel Porter

Joseph Robinson
Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield

A True Copy of the Notification Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Cler.

At a Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 14th 1734

1 Mr Nath11 Porter is Chosen Moderator for this Meeting

voted

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

2 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen Representative to Serve
at ye General Court

3 The Town agreed that the Trustees Shall Carry in the

first fift part of the Towns Loan to ve Province Treasurer
with two thirds of ye intrest voted

4 Voted that the Trustees for sd Loan shall pay in ye in-

trest of sd Loan which belongs to ye Town to the Town
Treasurer voted

5 The Town Allowed to John Perkins so Much Money viz
our paper Currancy as Amos Robinson was Rated for his
head in Said Perkins Lists when he was Constable sd Robin-
son having paid for his head at Lunenburg ye same year

voted

6 The Town Allowed to Ebenezer Nickols a former Con-

stable Eight Shillings & four pence it being an abatement for
Archelus Townes head voted

7 The Town Allowed to the Trustees viz Eliezer Lake To-

bijah Perkins & Jacob Peabody Eighteen Shillings for their
trouble about the Loan Money this year voted

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of The Town of
Topsfield Such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for Vot-
ing, are hereby Notified & warned to assemble and meet to-
gether at the Meeting house in said Town on Tuseday the
Twenty Eighth Day of May Currant at three of the Clock in
the after noon

1 To See if the Town will agree to Make any More Seats
in the Meeting house and to Do any other thing or things
about Said Meeting house that the Town shall think best

2 To See What the Town will Do Concerning a School
Master

3 To See if the Town will Reckon with the Town Treas-
urer

Dated Topsfield May the 2 Ist 1734 Nath11 Porter

Jonathan Perkins Constable of Topsfield Joseph Gould

Joseph Robinson
Benja Towne

A True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 28th 1734

1 John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this Meeting

voted

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

2 The Town agreed that there Should be a Seat Erected,

before the womens Seats in ye Gallary and also that there be
Seats built on ye East and South of the womens Seats below
where there is Convenient Room in the meeting house in
order to make more room for the women voted

3 Voted that the Selectmen Shall Reckon with the Town
Treasurer

4 Voted that Mr Eliezer Lake Mr George Bixby & Mr
John Wildes be a Committee to provide a School master for
the Town for this year

The free holders and Other Inhabitance of the Town of
Topsfield Such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for
Voteing: are hereby Notified and Warned to Convene to-
gether att the Meeting house in Topsfield on Wednesday the
Eighteenth Day of this instant September at two of the Clock
after noon — To Choose two good & Lawfull Men to Serve on
the Jury of Tryalls at the next Inferiour Court of Common
Pleas to be holden at Newbery within and for the County of
Essex on the Last Tuseday of this Present September

Dated at Topsfield Sep1 the fourteenth 1734

Joseph Perkins Constable of Topsfield

A True Copy Examined P Joseph Peabody Town Clerk

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield September the 18 :
1734.

1 Ens Ivory Hovey is Chosen Moderator for this: Meet-
ing voted

2 Mr Dan Clark & Mr Isaac Peabody are Chosen to Serve

on the Jury of Tryalls at the next Inferiour Court to be hold-
en at Newbery voted

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield Such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for Vot-
ing, are hereby Warned and Notified ; to Assemble and
Meet together at the Meeting House in Said Town on Tuse-
day the Twelfth Day of November Currant At one of the
Clock After noon

I To See if the Town will Make an addition to the Rev-
erend Mr Emersons Salary or Come to a New Agreement
with him About his Salary, or Do any other thing or things
about Said Salary that the Town Shall think best

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

2 To See how Much Money they will Raise to Defray
Town Charges this year

3 To Impower the Trustees to Sue for the Loan Money

4 To accept of the Return of the Selectmens Reckoning
with Said Town Treasurer

5 To Allow bills of Charge. Nath11 Porter

Datd Topsfield November ye 6 : 1734 Eliezer Lake

Jonathan Perkins Constable of Topsfield Benja Towne

Selectmen of Topsfield

A True Copy of the Notification Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield November ye 12 :

1734

1 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen Moderator for this Meet-
ing voted

2 The Town Agreed to give to the Reverend Mr John Em-

erson the Sum of Twenty pounds; one half thereof to be
paid in September following. voted

3 The Town Impowered the Trustees of the Towns Loan

money viz Mr Eliezer Lake, Mr Tobijah Perkins & Jacob
Peabody to Sue any person or persons that have hired any
of the Said Loan who are Defective in paying in the Same:
and the Town will bear out the Said Trustees in all their
Lawfull proceedings in that Affair voted

4 The Town Accepted of the Selectmens Return of their

Reckoning with the Town Treasurer. voted

5 The Town Allowed thirteen pounds & Sixteen Shillings
to the School Committee to pay the School Master for keep-
ing School three Months And for his boarding that time

voted 13:16:0

6 The Town Allowed one pound to Mr Joseph Herrick
for two Tun of Timber to mend ye high ways this year

voted 1 -0-0

7 The Town Allowed to Matthew Peabody Six Shillings
& Six pence for timber to mend the high ways this year

voted 0-6-6

The free holders and other Inhabitants of ye Town of
Topsfield such as are Qualified as the Law directs for Voting
are hereby Notified and warned to assemble & meet together

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

at the meeting house in sd Topsfield on Tuesday yc fourth
day of March next Ensuing the date hereof at Eight of the
Clock in ye morning

ily To Chuse A Town Clark Constables Select men &
Other Town Officers as the Law directs to be chosen Annu-
aly

2ly To Chuse a commite to supply the Town with a School
Master for ye year Ensuing

3 ly To see if ye Town will Reacon with the Town Treas-
urer

4ly To see what the Town will do with ye money in dea-
con Jacob Peabodys hands & to Allow Bills of Charge Dated
Topsfield ffebruary ye 21 1734-5

Jonathan Perkins Constable Nathaniel porter

of Topsfield Joseph Gould

A True Coppie as atest John Hovey Eliazer Lake

Town Clark Benjamin Towne

At a Legal Town meeting in Topsfield March 4th 1734-5

1 Mr Nathaniel porter is Chosen moderater for this meet-
ing voated

2 John Hovey chosen Town Clark for ye year Ensuing
voted & was immedatly sworn to ye faithfull discharge of sd
office

3 Mr Ephraim Wilds & Jacob Redington were chosen
Constables for ye year Ensuing Ephrum wilds sworn Jacob
redington sworn

4 Ivory Hovey was chosen Town Treasurer for the year
Ensuing Sworn

5 deacon John Howlett deacon Jacob Peabody Richard
Towne Benjamin Towne & Matthew Peabody are chosen se-
lect men for ye year Ensuing sworn asseors

6 Leiut Tobijah Pirkins mr Eliazer Lake & Luke Averill
are Chosen Tithing men for ye year Ensuing sworn

7 John Hovey was Chosen sealer of Leather for ye year

Ensuing sworn

8 Ens Joseph Dorman philip Town & mr Joseph Herrick

were chosen surveyers of highways sworn Daniel Reding-
ton Robert Perkins & George Bixby were chosen ffence view-
ers for ye year ensuing sworn

10 Aaron Esty & William perkins Junior are chosen Hogg
Reives for y° yer Ensuing sworn

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

1 1 David Baltch was chosen surveyor of hemp & flax for
ye year Ensuing

12 Cap1 Joseph Gould mr Nathaniel borman & mr Joseph

Herrick was chosen a committe to supply the Town with a
school master for y° year Ensuing voted

13 The Town agreed that the money in deacon Peabodys
hand wch is forty pound ten shillings should be paid into the
Town Treasurers hand for the Towns use by sd peabody voted

14 it was voated yt ye select men should Reacon with the
Tow[n] Treasurer

1 5 mr Zacheus Gould was chosen to serve upon the gran
joury

1 6 Ivory Hovey & Luke Averill to serve on the Jury of
Trials at next Ipswich Court

17 The Town alowed to mr Joseph Peabody fifteen shill-

ings & six pence for timber to mend the highwayes in ye year
1734 voted

18 The Town alowed ye school Committe thirteen pound

sixteen shillings for providing the Town with a school for the
three months last past voted

19 the Town alowed to mr Benjamin How one pound

Eight shillings for sweeping the meeting house voted

20 the Town alowed to mr Nathaniel Porter three shillings

for warning parsons out of Town voted

21 The Town alowed to Ens Ivory Hovey Twenty shill-
ings for his services as Town Treasurer for two years last
past voted

The freeholders & Other inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field Such as are Qualified as the Law directs for voting are
hereby Notified & warned to assemble and meet together at
the Meeting house in said Town on Wedensday the ninteenth
Currant at three of the Clock in the after noon

ily To see if the town will give Liberty for swine to go at
Large as ye Law directs

2ly To Chuse a Commite to make up the Towns part of
tfence between mr Clarks land & ye Parsonge

Dated Topsfield March ye 1 Ith 1734 or 5 Matthew Peabody

TrueCopyasatest John HoveyTown Cler Richard Towne

Ephraim Wilds Constable of Topsfield Benjamin Towne

Selectmen of Topsfield

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

5 7

At a Lawfull Town meeting Topsfield March 19 1734 or 5
1 ly Capt John Howlett is chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2ly the Town agreed yl ye swine should go at Larg as the
Law directs for ye yeare Ensuing voted

3ly Mr Matthew Peabody & Mr Ephraim Wilds were
Chosen to make up the Towns part of ffence between M1'
Daniel Clarks land & y° parsonage voted

March 19 1735 Then Received of Deacon Jacob Peabody
the sum of fforty Pounds Ten shillings which sum sd Peabody
was Ordered to pay in rent unto me at our last Annual Town
meeting

I say recived by me Ivory Hovey

Treasurer for sd Town

True Coppy as Attest John Hovey Town Clar.

The ffree holders and other inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Qualified for voting as ye Law Directs
are hereby notified & warned to Conven together att the
meeting hous in topsfield on wednsday the 14th day of this
month Currant att Two of ye clo in y0 after noon

1 ly To Choose a man to serve as A Representitive at the
Great and General Court

2ly To see what the Town will do Concerning Gitting A
Bell for the meeting house

3ly to see what the Town will do about Repairing the ston
wall between mr Daniel Clarks land & ye Parsonage

4ly To see what y° Town will do with y° intrest of the
Lone money

5 ly To alow bills of charge
Dated Topsfield May ye 10th
1735

Jacob Reddington Constable

Benjamin Towne
Matthew Peabody
Richard Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield

Att A Legal Town meeting Topsfield May 14th 1735
1 ly Deacon Jacob Peabody is chosen moderator for this
meeting

2ly Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen Representitive for ye
year Ensuing

3ly Israel Clark & Dan Clark are chosen a commitie to

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

repair the parsonag part of fence between mr Daniel Clarks
land & it

4ly The Town agrees yl ye Trustees of the lone money
shall have Eighteen shillings for theire service yc yare past

voted

5 ly The Town agrees that Trustees shall pay in the second
fifth part of the Lone money with the intrest belonging to it
to the province treasurer voted

61y The [Town] agreed that the Towns part of ye intrest
of ye lone money shall be paid to the Town Treasurer for ye
Towns use voted

The pertickeler Concerning ye Bell passed in ye Negative
Topsfield may 14 1735 Cap1 John Howlett deacon Jacob
Pebody Richard Town Benja Town & Matthew Peabody took
the oath of assessors for ye Town of Topsfield

May 14 1735 the select men approbated mr William how-
lett Schoolmaster for the year Ensuing according as he hath
agreed with Capt Joseph Gould mr Joseph Herrick & Quar
Borman a Committie chosen for y t End

Topsfield November 18 1731 Received of mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer ye sum of Two pounds Ten shillings in full
for my half years salary from march 2 1731 to septembar 2
1731 by me John Emerson

Topsfield Septembar ye 13th 1734 Mr Ivory Hovey Treas-
urer of sd Town Sir you are hereby ordered to pay forthwith
to yc Reverend mr John Emerson fifty pounds

Nathaniel porter
Joseph Robinson
Benja Towne
select men of Topsfield
Topsfield Novembar 19 1734 Recived of mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer ye sum of four pounds the full of this order
& in full for my half years Salary from march 2 1734 to Sep-
tember 2 1734

by me John Emarson

Topsfield March 20 1734-5 Recived of mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer ye sum of forty seven pounds in part of my
half years Salary from Sept 2 to march 2 1734-5
By me John Emarson

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS,

The freeholders & Other inhabitants of the Town of Tops-
field such as are Qualified as ye Law directs for voting are
hereby warned and notified to Assemble and meet together
at the meeting house in sd Town on Wedensday ye Second
day of July next Ensuing the Date hereof at four of the
Clock after noon

ily to see whether the Tow[n] will alter or discontinue y°
way y1 is laid out from the Southerly End of Jacob Reding-
tons Land to nathaniel Porters land
2ly To alow Bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield Jun ye 25th 1 735 John Howlett Mathew

peabody Benjam Towne
Ephraim Wilds Constable Select men of Topsfield

Att a Legal Town meeting July ye 2d 1735
ily deacon John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this
meeting

2dly That pertickler to see whether the town would alter
the highway as abouesd passed in the negative ye 3dly y°
Town Alowed Ephraim Wilds Two pounds Eleven shillings
& six pence for making a ston wall between m1’ Daniel Clarks
Land and the Parsonage Land voted

Topsfield Aprill 2 1735 Received of mr Ivory Hovey Town
Treasurer ye sum of Thirteen pounds in full for my half year
Salary from September 2d 1734-5 by me John Emerson

The ffree holders and Other inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Qualified as ye Law directs for voting
are hereby warned & notified to assemble and meet together
at ye meeting house in sd Town on Tusday the Twenty third
daye of Septembar Currant at Two of y0 Clock after noon
ily To Chuse Jury men for Newbury Court
2ly To see if ye Town will give or alow anything to ye
Reverand Mr John Emerson for y0 year Insuing more yn his
Sallery

3ly To see how much money the Town will Raise to defray
Town Charges

4ly to see if ye Town will sell ye Watch House
5 ly To see if ye Town will accept of the select mens Re-
turn of yer Reaconing with the Town Treasurer

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

61y to see if the Town will Order any other way of warn-
ing Town meetings

7ly To alow Bills of Charges
Dated Topsfield Sept 17th 1735

Matthew Peabody

Jacob Redington Richurd Towne

Constable of Topsfield Benja Towne

At A Legal Town meetting Septembar 23 1735
ffirstly deacon Jacob Peabody is Chosen moderator for this
meeting

2ly David Baultch & Zacheus Perkins are chosen to serve
on the Jury of Trials at the next inferior Court at newbury
3dly ye Town agreed to giue to the Reverend mr John
Emarson as a gift 20 pound 10 pound to be paid the second
day of March next & Ten pound upon the second day of
septembar next following

& upon ye ffifth pertickeler the Town Accepted of ye select
mens return of there Reaconing with ye Town Treasurer
lastly The Town alowed five shillings to mr Joseph Her-
rick for timber to mend ve highways

also ye Town alowed to mr Israel & Dan Clark three pound
for repairing ye ston wall between ye Parsonage & mr Daniel
Clarks land

& The town alowed the select men for their valuation of
the Towns Estate in Order to assesment 31 10s 00d and to Dan
Clark for Timber to mend ye highway 00 01 06

Decembar 23 1735: recived of mr Ivory Hovey Town
Treasurer the sum of seven pounds ten shillings in full for
my half years sallary from march second 1734-5 To Septem-
bar 2d 1735 By me John Emarson

To mr John Hovey Town Clark these are to inform you
That mr David Balch has taken the Oath of surveior of hemp
& fflax before us ye subscribers & we desire you to make a
Record Thereof Benja Towne f

Richard Towne j Selectmen
Dated Topsfield Novem- Matthew Peabody ] of Topsfield
ber ye 6th 1735 Jacob Peabody [_

The ffree holders and other inhabitants of ye Town of
Topsfield Qualified as the Law directs for voting in Town

Select men
of Topsfield

OF TOFSFIELD, MASS.

affairs are hereby notified to meet at the meeting house in
Topsfield on Tuseday the second of March next at Eight of
ye clock in ye morning

ffirst To chuse a Town Clark Constables Select men &
other Town officers as ye Law directs

2ly To see if the town will join with Beverly to Petition
the General Court for a Township

3ly to see if the Town will hear & Consider yc Petition of
mr Joseph Herrick & Others

4ly To see if the town will agree with Wm Redington about
the price of ye Bricks which he took from y° Watch house
5 ly To see what advise the Town will give to the Town
Treasurer refering to mr Samuel Smiths Rates
61y To Reckon with the Town Treasurer
7ly To choose a Committie to supply ye Town with a
school master

81y To alow Bills of Charge: 9ly to see if the Town will
make and maintain A Cart Gate on ye Road y1 Leads
Through John Andrews Lands
Dated Topsfield ffeb ye 17th 1735

Benja Towne f

Jacob Redington Constable Matthew Peabody ! Selectmen
of Topsfield Richard Towne 1 of Topsfield

Jacob Peabody b

Att a Legal Town meeting in Topsfield March 2d 1735 or 6
1 ly Deacon Jacob Peabody is Chosen moderator for this
meeting

2ly John Hovey is chosen Town Clark for ye year Ensuing
3ly Daniel Gould & phineas redington are chosen Consta-
bles for ye year Ensuing daniel gould sworn

4ly Deacon Ivory Hovey David Baultch Jacob Redington
George Bixby & Luke Averel are chosen Select men for the
year Ensuing

5 ly John Hovey is chosen Sealer of Leather for the year
Ensuing sworn

61y Deacon Ivory Hovey is chosen Town Treasurer for
the year Ensuing sworn

7ly Daniel Redington Jacob Averell Joseph Dorman are
chosen Tithing men for year Ensuing Daniel redington &
Jacob averell sworn

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

8Jy William Rogers Eliazer Lake Israel Clark are chosen
fence viewers for ye year Ensuing sworn
[No 9ly.]

ioly Daniel Clark & David Commins are chosen survey*
ors of high wayes for ye year Ensuing sworn

illy Samuel Curtice and John Town Junior are Chosen
hogg Reives for the year Ensuing sworn

I2ly U Zacheus Gould is chosen surveyor of hemp & fflax
for the year Ensuing sworn

1 3ly The Town agrees yl The Town Treasurer shall make
dist[r]ess upon Samuel Smith a former Constable for the
money which is behind of ye Town Rate Committed to him
to Colect & gather in voted

1 4ly The Town Agrees yl William Redington shall give
Twenty shillings for ye bricks he had from the watch house

voted

1 5 ly The Town agrees yl ye present Select men Reacon
with the Town Treasurer

i61y The Town agrees yl Nathaniel Capen shall have the
watch house for forty shillings voted

I y\y John Wilds Joshua Town ye Richard Town are chosen
a committee to provide the Town with a school master for
ye year Ensuing

i81y The Town alows Nathaniel Capen ten shillings for
Timbar to mend ye Bridg by the metting house

19IV The Town alows 231 00s OOd to be paid for the last
year schooling

20\y the Town alows Jacob Redington five shillings for
Timbar to a small bridg

2ily ye Town alows Benjamin How Twenty Eight shillings
for sweeping ye meeting house

22ly ye Town alows Luke Averell one shilling for timber
to mend mile brook bridg

23ly The Town alows Isaac Peabody Eight Shillings for
Timbar to mend ve ffals Bridg

24ly The Town alowed mr Nathaniel Capen Three shill-
ings for putting up a board to the window over the pulpit
also The Town acepts of John Wilds in ye room of Phin-
eas Redington to be Constable for ye year Ensuing Wilds
sworn

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

To mr John Wilds one of ye Constables of Topsfield in his
majesties name you are Required forthwith to warn all the
inhabitants of sd Town in your Ward Lawfully Qualified for
voting viz all on the Estarly side of ye Contry Road from the
Town bridg to the meeting house in Topsfield & all on the
northerly side of ye Road y 1 Leads from sd meeting house to
mr Emarsons To Convene together at the meeting house in
Topsfield on Wedensday next it being the Twenty fourth of
march instant at two of the clock in ye afternoon

ily To Choos a Select man in ye room of deacon Ivory
Hovey

2ly To chose Three good and Lawfull Jury men one to
Serve on gran jury and two on ye Jury of trials at ye next in-
ferior Court to be holden at Ipswich

3ly To see if ye Town will choose a tything man in yc room
of Ens Joseph Dorman

4ly To see if ye Town will agree yt ye swine shall go at
Large this yeare

Hereof fail not & make return of this your warant and your
doings there in befor sd meeting to one or more of ye Select-
men David Baultch

Jacob redington

Dated Topsfield march 17 1735 or 6 Luke Averill

George Bixby
Select men of Topsfield
Essex ss Topsfield march ye 24 day 1736 By virtue of this
warrant I have warned ye inhabitants within mentioned to
appear att Time & place within mentioned

John Wilds Constable for Topsfield
There was another warrant to mr Daniel Gould one of ye
Constables of Topsfield to warn the inhabitants in his ward
at the same time as aforsd yn Returned accordingly

At a Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield March 24 1735
or 6

ily Mr John Wilds is chosen moderator for this meeting
2ly Matthew Peabody is chosen Select man for ye year
Ensuing

3ly Michael Dwinel is chosen to serve upon ye Grand Jury
4ly Joseph Herrick & Wm Rogers are chosen to serve on
the Jury of Trials

64 EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

5 ly the Town agrees yl ye swine shall go at Large the year
Ensuing as ye Law directs

We ye subscribers being appointed to Perambulate & re-
new the bounds Between Salem & Topsfield accordingly met
on the 20th of April 1736 and Renewed the bounds begining
att a whit Oak Tree marked S W T wl a heap of stones
round it near Wenham Causey ffrom thenc to a black or red
oak tree and stump with stones between sd tree ye stump
standing in Bixbys orchard marked S T & from thence to a
heap of stones near ye Corner of Thomas Dunels pasture &
from thence to a heap of stones near nichols brook a little
aboue the saw mill and so on ye same course to nichols
Brook

Samuel Porter

Joseph Towne Nathaniel Putnam

Matthew Peabody Israel Andrews

We ye Subscribers Being appointed by the select men of
our several Town as Topsfield & Wenham to renew and per-
ambulate the bounds between our Respective Towns as the
Law directs have accordingly attended said service and have
renewed ye Bounds according to the settlement of ye Bounds
between our Towns which bounds we doe agree unto as wit-
ness our hands this 26 day of aprill 1736

Thos Tarbox Benj ffairfield

Micheall Dwinell John Towne

The freeholders and other inhabitants of yeTown of Tops-
field that have an Estate of free hold in Land within this
province or territory of forty shillings Per annum at ye least
or other Estate to the value of fifty pounds starling are here-
by warned to assemble at the meeting house in sd Town on
Wednesday the Twelveth day of May next at two a clock in
the after noon

1 ly To choose a Representative to serve at a Great and
General Court or Assembly appointed to be Convened held
& kept for his majesties service at the Court house in Boston
upon Wednesday ye Twenty six day of may next

2ly To see if ye Town will sett off a part of ye ffrunt galery
for ye Women to sit in & 3dly to alow Bills of Charge

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

Dated Topsfield April 27 1736 David Balch Jacob reding-

ton Luke Averill Matthew
John Wildes Constable peabody George Bixby

Selectmen of Topsfield

Topsfield May 12 1736 at a Lawfull Town meeting

ily mr Thomas Gould is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing

2ly Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen Representative for ye
year Ensuing ye 3d Pertickler Concerning a part of frunt
Galery passed in ye negative

4ly The Town alowed four pound 12 shillings for ye school
master

To mr Ivory Hovey Treasurer for ye Town of Topsfield
sir you are hereby ordered to pay to the Reverend mr John
Emarson ye sum of sixty pound by ye second day of March
next Ensuing ye Date hereof

Dated Topsfield ffebruary 17 Jacob Peabody Matthew
i735~6 Peabody Richard Towne

Benja Towe Select men
of Topsfield

Topsfield April 17 1736 Recived of mr Ivory Hovey Town
Treasurer Eight pounds ye full of this within written order
and in full for my Salery to march 2 1735-6

By me John Emarson

Topsfield April 17th 1736 This day recived of Mr Joseph
Herrick ye full and just sum of Twenty three pounds in Cash
and receits to me paid and delivered it being the full Com-
plesion of my Salary for ye year past

P me William Howlett

Boston Jun 10th 1735 Reed of ye Trustees of Topsfield by
Cap1 Joseph Gould sixty one pounds five shillings fifty two
pounds sixteen shillings of which is ye second fifth of the
£ 60000 and Eight pounds nine shillings thereof is ye Inter
for the year 1735

P Jer Allen Treas

Boston Janery 2d 1735 Recd of mr Joseph Perkins Consta-
ble of Topsfield by Cap1 Gould fifteen pound six shillings &
Eight pence in full

P Jer Allen Treasr £ 15 6 8

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Topsfield March 3 1735-6 Received of inr Constable
Joseph Perkins ye sum of six pounds five shillings in full by
me Ivory Hovey Town Treasr

Mayye3i 1736 we The subscribers being appointed a
Committie to Perambulate the line between the Towns of
Ipswich & Topsfield met on the day abovesd & Perambulated
sd Line and in witness whereof we have set our hands and
seals the year & daye above written John Choat Philemon
Dane Daniel Heard Phillip fowler Committee for Ipswich.
John Wilds Tobijah Perkins Luke Averill, Committee ffor
Topsfield 1736

The freeholders and other inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field such as are Qualified for Voting as ye Law directs are
hereby notified & warned to Convene and Assemble together
at the meeting house in Topsfield on Tuesday ye 14th of Sep-
tembar Currant att one of the Clock on sd day

firstly To make Choice of two good and Lawfull men to
serve on ye Jury of Trials att the next inferior Court of Com-
mon pleas to be holden at Newbery

3ly To see what money the Town will raise to defray Town
Charges for ye year Ensewing

3ly To see if ye Town will accept of the select mens re-
turn of ye Reaconing with the The Town Treasurer

4ly to see what the Town will doe Relating to the settling
the line between us and Middleton and ffithly to alow bils of
charg

Jacob Redington David Balch Luke Averill Matthew Pea-
body George Bixby Select men of Topsfield John Wilds Con-
stable for Topsfield

At a Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield Septembar ye 14th
1736 ffirstly mr Thomas Gould is chosen moderator for this
meeting

2ly This meeting is adjourned from this 14th of Septembar
to Tuesday the 21 of septembar Currant at place & clock
abovesd

At a Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield Septembar 21
1736 upon adjournment as abovesaid

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

Jacob Redington & George Bixby are chosen to serve on
the Jury of tryals at ye next inferior Court of Common pleas
to be holden at Newbery

2ly The Town agreed to Raise Thirty pounds beside mr
Emersons Salary to defray Town charges this year

3 ly The Town accepts of ye Select mens Return of their
Reaconing with the Town Treasurer

ye select men have approbated mr William Howlett School
master for the year ensuing

The freeholders & other inhabitants of the Town of Tops-
field such as are qualified for voting are hereby required
notified & warned to Conven together at the meeting house
in Topsfield on fryday ye Twelueth of Novembar Currant at
one of the clock in ye afternoon

ffirstly To see if the Town will give to ye reverend mr John
Emarson Twenty pound as thay did ye year past

2ly To see what ye will doe with the of ye Intrest Lone
money now in the Trustees hands

3 ly To see what ye Town will order Consarning ye money
which ye watch house and bricks belonging to it weare sould
for

4ly To see if Town [will] Choose A Committe to treet
with our naighbours in Ipswich ffarms in order to know their
minds Consarning [being] set of to our Town

5 ly To see if [the Town] will Choos a committee to set
Bounds [between] Middleton and Topsfield
sixly to alow bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield Novembar 1 1736 Jacob Redington
Luke Averell George Bixby David Baultch Select men of
Daniel Gould Constable for Topsfield Topsfield

At a Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield Novembar 12
1736 firstly deacon Jacob Peabody is chosen moderator for
this meeting

2ly the Town agrees to Give to the reverend mr John Em-
arson Twenty pounds for this year as they did ye year past
3 ly The [Town] agrees that the intrest of the lone money
shall be paid into the Town Treasurer for the Towns use
4ly The Town agrees that select men shall settle & per-
ambulate the bounds between Middleton and our Town ac-
cording to Court Grant

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

5 ly Capt Joseph Gould deacon Jacob Peabody & Jacob
Redington are chose a committie to meet with our neigh-
bours in Ipswich farms in order to know theire minds Con-
cerning theire being set of to our Town

and for bills of change ye Town alowed to Matthew Pea-
body & Joseph Towne for perambulating with Salem six
shillings

and to Ens Joseph Dorman and Thomas Gould for peram-
bulating with boxford six shillings and to Tobijah Perkins
John Wilds and Luke Averell for perambulating with Ipswich
three shillings apeace & to Philip Towne for timber to mend
the Town bridg five shillings to Joseph herrick for going to
settle the line with middleton Three shillings & to the Trus-
tees of the lone money for ye care and Trouble Eighteen
shillings

and to George bixby for timbar to mend wheel brook
bridg six shillings

Boston Januay 27 1736 Recd of the Trustees of the Town
of Topsfield by ye hand of Joseph Gould fifty two pounds
sixteen shillings being ye third fifth of ye Sixty thousand
pounds Loan & six pounds six shillings & eight pence Inter-
est to ye first of June 1736

£ s d

52—16 = 0 principal Willm Frye Treas

6 = 06 = 8 Interest

March ye first 1736-7 then Recvd of Mr Eleazar Lake one
of ye Towns Trustees ye sum of three pounds three shillings
& two pence I say Recvd by me

Ivory Hovey Town Treasr

To Mr John Wilds one of ye Constables of ye Town of
Topsfield In his Majesties Name you are required forthwith
to warn all ye free holders & other Inhabitants of the Town
of Topsfield in your Ward lawfully qualified for voting to
conveen together at ye Meeting House in Topsfield aforesd
on Tuesday ye first Day of March next att Eight of the Clock
in ye morning

istly To Choose a Town Clerk, Constables, Selectmen &
all other Town officers as yc Law directs

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

6 9

2ndly To see if ye Town will accept ye Return of ye Com-
mittee Choosen November 12, 1736 to treat with our Neigh-
bours in Ipswich farms concerning there being sett off to our
Town

Also to see if ye Town will accept of our abovesd Neigh-
bours of Ipswich farms upon y° terms which they have Sub-
scribed to & Choose a Committee to joyn with a Committee
that they shall Choose in order to see where a line may be
properly stated or to agree & conclude upon some other
method as the Town shall then think proper peaceably to
promote ye abovesd affair

3dly To choose a Suetable person for a grave digger for
the Town

4thly To see if ye Town will abate William Mackitreys
Rate to Constable Jonathan Perkins

5 thly To allow Bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield Jacob Redington

February 14 1736-7 David Balch Selectmen

Luke Averill 7 of
Mathew Peabody j Topsfield
George Bixby J

Topsfield March y° first 1736-7

B[y] virtue of this warrant I have warned the Inhabitants
to appear at time & place within mentioned

John Wilds Constable

At a Lawful Town meeting in Topsfield March 1st 1736-7

1. Jacob Peabody is chosen Moderator for yc Meeting

voted

2. Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for ye year ensu-
ing voted

3. Deacon Ivory Hovey is Choosen Town Treasurer for ye

year ensuing voted

4. Mr Jacob Perkins Junr & Mr Israel Clark [are] Chosen

Constables for ye year ensuing voted

5. Mr Jacob Dorman, Mr John Wilds, Mr Benjamin Towne,

Lieu1 Zacheus Gould & Mr Daniel Redington are Chosen
Select men for ye year ensuing voted

6. Mr Israel Towne is Choosen Sealer of Leather for ye
year

7°

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

7. Mr Phinehas Redington, Mr William Perkins & Mv Ja-
cob Redington are chosen tithing men for ye year ensuing

voted

8. M1' Thomas Perkins, Mr Jacob Robinson & Mr David
Coinmings are chosen fence viewers for ye year ensuing voted

10. Mr Benjm How & Mr Samuel Perkins are choosen

Hogreeves for ye year ensuing voted

9. Mr Thomas Dorman, Mr Samuel Towne & Lieutn Tobi-

jah Perkins are Choosen Surveyors of highways for ye year
ensuing voted

11. Upon hearing ye report of ye Committee yl went to
treat with our Neighbours in Ipswich Farms & then answer
to ye Committee voted yl ye Town are willing to have our
Neighbours in Ipswich Farms laid to us & to joyn with us to
be one Town & ye Town to be at one half of ye whole Charge
of their being laid to y® Town, provided yl our sd Neighbours
which live on ye South Side of the River Shall & do suffi-
ciently oblige themselves & their Heirs to find themselves a
way over ye River, so y1 ye Town of Topsfield as a Town
shall not be at ye charge of making or maintaining a Bridge
over ye River for them

12. Mr Joseph Herrick, Deacn Ivory Hovey & Mr Nath11
Averill are Chosen a committee to see if our Neghbours in
Ipswich farms will agree to ye vote of ye Town respecting
their being laid to us: if they consent thereto then sd Com-
mittee are to take Security of those g^ ye South Side of ye
River agreable to ye vote of ye Town; and also to joyn with
Such as our sd Neighbours shall choose to agree where &
how to state a Line & sd Committee to make return of their
proceeding in sd affair to ye Town as soon as may be con-
veint

13. Benjamin How is Chosen to digg ye graves voted

14. The Town allowed to Mr. Jonathan Perkins so much

as Will Mackitry was rated on ye Lists when He was Con-
stable voted

15. The Town allowed to Mr Michael Dwinill Junr & Mr
John Town Junr four shillings for perambulating with Wen-
ham men on the line between ye Towns in ye year 1736

voted 00-4-00

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

16. The Town allowed to ye School Committee viz to Mr

Joshua Towne, Mr John Wilds & Mr Richard Towne eigh-
teen pounds seventeen shillings & nine pence for defraying
ye Charges of ye School for four months & three Days ye
year past voted 18-17-9

17. The Town allowed to Mr Samuel Towne five shillings for
Timber to mend ye highway in ye year 1734 voted 00-5-00

The Several Officers Chosen at the above sd Town meet-
ing of whom an oath is by the Laws Required all tooke the
proper oath [of their] Respective offices on the Same Day
of sd meeting. Except Jacob [ ] Thomas Dorman being

Chosen a Haward or field Driver of [ ] Meadow Com-

mon fields: he was Sworn to ye faithfull descharge of his
office: before the Selectmen on ye 1 of march 1736-7,
Jacob Perkins Junr being Chosen Constable on ye 1 of March
1736 was Sworn on the 14 Day of the same month

Entered by order of the Selectmen Jacob Peabody

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield Such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for vot-
ing; are hereby Notified & warned to assemble and meet to-
gether, at the Meeting house in Said Town on Wednesday
the Twenty third Currant, at two of the Clock afternoon

1 To Chuse Jurymen for Ipswich Court

2 To Chuse a Committe to Supply the Town with a School
for the year Ensuing

3 To Chuse a Surveyer of hemp & flax

4ly To Chuse overseers of the poor

5 To See if the Town will Give Liberty for Swine to go at
Large as the Law Directs and to see if the Town will Do
anything about a fish Course up Ipswich River

6 To hear and act upon Ipswich farmers answer to Tops-
field Committe

Datd Topsfield March ye 14th 1736-7 Zacheus Gould

Israel Clark Constable of Topsfield Daniel Redington

Jacob Dorman
John Wildes
Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield

A True Copy of ye Notification Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk

7 2

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 23rd
1736-7

1 Lieu1 Zacheus Gould is Chosen Moderator for this

Meeting voted

2 Mr Thomas Gould is Chosen Grand Juryman for the

year Ensuing voted

3 Ens Joseph Dorman & Mr Matthew Peabody are Chosen

to Serve on the Jury of Tryals at the next Inferior Court to
be holden at Ipswich voted

4 Mr Jesse Dorman, mr Joseph Andrew & mr David Com-

mings are Chosen a Committe to Supply the Town with a
School-master for ye year Ensuing voted

5 Lieu1 Zacheus Gould is Chosen Surveyer of hemp & fflax

for ye year Ensuing voted

6 The Town Gives Liberty for Swine to go at Large as y®

Law Gives Liberty voted

7 Mr Joseph Towne, Mr Joseph Herrick, & Mr Benjamin

Towne are Chosen a Committe to go to the Neighbouring
Towns to See if they will Joyn with us in Trying to Gitt a
fish Course Cleard up Ipswich River and if the Neighbouring
Towns or the Major part of them which the Said Committe
Shall Treat with about sd affair Shall See Cause to Joyn with
us as afore sd then Said Committe are hereby fully Impow-
ered to use all Proper means as the Law Directs to Git the
Same Effected voted

8 Inasmuch as this Town is very small and there being a

Number of our Neighbours in Ipswich farms which are will-
ing to be Laid or set off to this Town Therefore the Town
Doe hereby Declare that they are willing to Receive our
Said Neighbours into one Township with us and to have them
with us in all Civill, and Ecclesiastical Priviledges they pay-
ing one half of the Charge of being set off as they agreed to
doe: by their Committies Answer to our Towns Committe
March 14 1736-7 voted

Mr Joseph Herrick Enters his Dissent from the Last vote
because he would not be at any Cost about a Bridge for our
said Neighbours on ye South Side of the river

Cap1 Joseph Gould Mr George Bixbe & Mr Nathaniel [ ]

Are Chosen a Committe to Joyn with Such Gentlemen as our
sd [ ] have already Chosen to go and agree upon a Line

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

which they [ ] Most Convenient for our sd Neighbours

to be Sett off by to this [ ]

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of Topsfield Such
as are Quallified as the Law Directs for Voting, are hereby
Warned to Assemble and Meet at the Meeting house in Said
Topsfield, on Tuseday the Tenth Currant at three of the
Clock After Noon, first to Chuse a Representative to Serve
for and Represent them at A Great and General Court to be
holden at Boston for his Majesties Service

2 To See if the Town will Give Liberty for the Selectmen
to Draw five pounds, Seven Shillings and Ten pence out of
our Treasury to Pay a County Rate. And to See if the
Town will Reckon with the Town Treasurer And to See how
the Town will Dispose of the intrest of the Loan money

Datd Topsfield May the 5th 1737

Jacob Perkins Constable Zacheus Gould

Daniel Redington ! Selectmen
Benja Towne j of Topsfield

John Wildes J

At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 10th 1737

1 Lieu1 Zacheus Gould is Chosen Moderator for this

Meeting voted

2 Mr Nathaniel Bordman is Chosen Representative for ye

Town voted

3 The Town Gave Liberty for y® Selectmen to Draw five

pound Seven Shillings & Ten pence out of the Town Treas-
ury to Pay the County Rate which is now Sent for voted

4 Voted that the Select [men] Shall Reckon with y° Town

Treasurer voted

5 Voted that the Trustees of ye Towns Loan Money shall
pay in ye Towns part of sd Loan to the Town Treasurer for
ye Towns use

Topsfield June ye 27th 1737 There is taken up Dam[
by Joseph Neeland of Topsfield a Small horse about three or
four year old: of a black or Dark brown Colour having a
Short Dock but Neither brand nor Ear Mark the sd horse
was apprized at Six pound by Daniel Dresser of Boxford
and Joseph Commings of Topsfield they were sworn before
David Wood Esqr

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Tops*
field Such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for Voting
are Warned and Notified to Assemble and Meet at the Meet-
ing house in Said Town on ffryday the Twenty third Cur-
rant, at two of the Clock afternoon

I To See how much money they will raise to Defray Town
Charges for the year Ensuing

2ly To See how much money they will Allow to Mr Em-
erson more than his Sallary for the year Ensuing

3 To Choose Jury men for Newbery Court

4 To See if they will abate Josiah Kenney Deceased his
Rates for his head for the year 1736

5 To Receive the Answer of our Neighbours in Ipswich
farms and to Do and act on or about that affair as they Shall
See Cause

6 To Allow bills of Charge. Dated in Topsfield Sep1 17th

1737

Jacob Perkins Junr Constable

Daniel Redingtonl
Jacob Dorman ! Selectmen
John Willds j of Topsfield

Benja Towne J

At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield Sep1 ye 23rd 1737

1 Mr Joseph Herrick is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 The Town Agreed that fourty pounds Shall be raised to

Defray the Arising Charges of the Town for the year Ensu-
ing voted

3 Mr Joseph Herrick & Mr Benjamin Towne are Chosen
to Serve on the Jury of Tryalls at the Next Inferiour Court
to be holden at Newbery

4 The Town Allowed Sixteen Shillings & Six pence to
Mary Kenny widow And Relick of Josiah Kenney Late of
Topsfield Deceased it being an abatement of sd Josiahs
Rates for the year 1736

5 The Town agreed to Joyn with our Neighbours in Ips-
wich farms in Petitioning to the General Court that they and
their P2states May be Laid to ye Town of Topsfield as Town

voted

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

6 Voted that Cap1 Joseph Gould & Mr George Byxbe be
a Committe to Joyn with our sd Neighbours or with Such as
they Shall Appoint to petition as Afore Said

Topsfield January 10th 1737-8 Received of Mr Ivory
Hovey Town Treasurer ye Sum of Sixty pounds in full and
ye full of my Last years Salary from September 2nd 1736 to
March 2nd 1736-7

by me John Emerson

Topsfield March 18th 1736-7 Received of Mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer ye sum of Sixty pounds in full and ye full of
my Last years Salary from September 2nd 1736 to March
2nd 1736-7

by me John Emerson

Topsfield ffebruary 3rd 1737-8 Received Eleven pound in
full of this order & in full for my Salary to the 2nd of Sep-
tember 1737

by me John Emerson

The three Receipts Last Entred are True Copies

Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of ye Town of
Topsfield Such as are Lawfully Quallified for Voting are
hereby Notified & warned to Assemble and Meet together at
ye Meeting house in Topsfield Tuseday ye Seventh Day of
March Next at Nine of ye Clock in ye fore noon

1 To Choose a Town Clerk, Constables, Selectmen and
other Town Officers as the Law Directs Annually to be
Chosen

2 To see what the Town will Do as to the Reverend Mr
John Emersons Salary, as to ye fall of y° bills of Credit Since
he Settled with us in y° work of the Ministry

3 To See what the Town will Do as to the Repairing ye
parsonage fence

4 To Approbate Juriours as the Law Directs

5 To hear and act upon a Petition of Mr James Curtis and
others of Boxford

6 To hear and Act on a Petition of Mr George Bixby &
others Refering to Rams

7 To Allow bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield February yc 28th A: D: 1737-8

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Zacheus Gould "j
Daniel Redington j

Jacob Perkins Constable Jacob Dorman

John Wildes
Benja Towne J

At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 7tb

1 737-8

1 Mr Joseph Herrick is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted

2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for the year En-
suing voted

3 William Perkins & Thomas Perkins are Chosen Consta-
bles for ye year ensuing voted

4 Dean Ivory Hovey is Chosen Town Treasurer for ye

year Ensuing voted

5 Joseph Herrick, Daniel Redington, David Commings,

Benjamin Towne and Joseph Perkins: are Chosen Selectmen
for the year Ensuing voted

6 Israel Towne is Chosen Sealer of Leather for ye year

Ensuing voted

7 George Bixby, Solomon Gould, & Samuel Towne: are

Chosen Tything Men for the year Ensuing voted

8 Ephraim Wildes, Samuel Curtis, & Nathan Hood : are
Chosen Survevers of highways for ye year Ensuing voted

9 Israel Clark, John Towne Junr, & Thomas Howlet are

Chosen fence viewers for the year Ensuing voted

10 Robert Perkins, & John Clark are Chosen Hogreaves

for ye year Ensuing voted

1 1 Whereas William Perkins hath agreed with Dan Clark

to Serve for him as Constable: the Town Doth Accept of sd
Clark in ye room of sd Perkins voted

12 The Town agreed to Give Thirty pounds to the Rev-
erend Mr John Emerson for the present year voted

13 The Town Agreed to Make Twenty Rods of good Suf-
ficient Stone wall about ye Parsonage this year voted

14 Cor1 John Wildes & Phillip Towne are Chosen to make

up Sd Stone wall about the Parsonage and also to repair the
rest of y® fence about the parsonage (which belongs to the
Town) with the old fence which they shall take up; where
they Make the wall voted

1 Selectmen
j of Topsfield

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

15 The Town having heard the Petition of Mr James Cur

tis And others of Boxford Concerning their being Set off to
the Town of Topsfield. The Town Voted that they were
willing to Receive them in Township with us voted

16 The Town Allowed one pound to Dea11 Ivory Hovev
for Serving the two Last years as Town Treasurer

voted 1 -0-0

17 The Town Allowed to Mr Daniel Clark Nine Shillings
for Timber to mend the high ways in ye year 1736 voted

18 The Town Allowed to Samuel Towne one pound one

Shilling i-l-O for Timber to mend the high ways in the
year 1737 voted

19 The Town Allowed to Benjamin How one pound Eight
Shillings 1-8-0 for Sweeping the Meeting house ye year past

voted

The officers Chosen at the above sd meeting were all Sworn
as the Law Directs

Boston 25 octo 1737 Recd of Mr Daniel Gould Constable
of Topsfield Sixty Six pound thirteen Shillings & Ten pence
in full Wm ffrye Treasr

This is a True Copy attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk

Topsfield March 21st 1738 Then Recd of Mr Daniel Gould
one of the former Constables: the Sum of four pounds and
Eleven Shillings & Six pence in full of his Rates Committed
to me to Receive of him

I say Recd by me Ivory Hovey Treasurer

for sd Town

This Last Receipt is a True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfd Such as are Lawfully Quallified for Voting are noti-
fied and warned to Assemble and Meet at the Meeting house
in sd Town on Tuseday the Twenty first Day of March In-
stant at Two of the Clock after noon

1 To Choose Jury men according to Warrant for Ipswich
Court

2 To Choose a Committe to Supply the Town with a
School master for the year Ensuing

3 To See if the Town will Repair or amend the Glass of
the Meeting house

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

4 To See if the Town will Give Liberty for Swine to go at
Large as the Law Directs

5 To allow bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield March the 17: A: D 1737-8

Joseph Herrick

Thomas Perkins Constable Daniel Redington ! Selectmen

David Commings [ of Topsfield
Benja Towne J

At a Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 21st
1737-8

1 Mr Joseph Herrick is Chosen Moderator for this Meet-
ing voted

2 Dea11 Ivory Hovey is Chosen to Serve on ye Grand Jury

for ye year Ensuing voted

3 Mr Daniel Clark & Mr Nath11 Capen are Drawn out of
the Box to Serve on ye Jury of Tryals at the Next Inferiour
Court to be holden at Ipswich

4 Phineas Redington, mr Thomas Dwinel & Doc1 Richard

Dexter are Chosen a Committe to provide a School master
for the Town for ye year Ensuing voted

5 The Town agreed that the present Selectmen Shall take
Care to Git the Meeting house Glass windows repaired voted

6 The Town agreed that Swine May go at Large this year

according as the Law gives Liberty voted

7 The Town Allowed fifteen Shillings to Thomas Dorman

for Timber to mend the Bridge between Topsfield & Middle-
ton 0-15-0

8 The Town Allowed fifteen pound to the School Com-

mitte viz Mr Jesse Dorman, Mr Joseph Andrew & David
Commings for Defraying the Charges of the School fo[r]
three months in ye years 1737 & 1737-8 voted

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of Topsfield Such
as are Lawfully Quallified for Voting are hereby Notified and
warned ; to Assemble and Meet together at the Meeting
house in sd Topsfield on Tuseday the Sixteenth Day of May
Currant, at Two of the Clock After noon

I To Choose a Representative to Serve in ye Great and
General Court to be holden at Boston, upon Wednesday the
Thirty first Day of May Currant

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS,

2 To See if the Town will Reckon with yeTown Treasurer

3 To See if the Town will Give order to the Treasurer to
Sue for y° Money Due for the Watch house

4 To See if the Town will agree to build a School house
or houses

5 To Allow bills of Charge

Datd Topsfield May ye 8 A : D: 1738

Joseph Herrick ")

Thomas Perkins Constable David Commings I Selectmen
of Topsfield Daniel Redington [ of Topsfield

Benja Towne J

At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield May: 16: 1738

1 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen Representative to Serve

at the General Court voted

2 Dea11 Ivory Hovey is Chosen Moderator for this Meet-
ing voted

3 Voted that the Selectmen Shall Reckon with Town
Treasurer

4 Voted that y° Town Treasurer Shall Receive the Money
which is Due to the Town for the Watch house, and for the
brick which Did belong to ye sd watch house

5 The Town Allowed to Lieu1 Tobijah Perkins Eighteen

Shillings for Timber he had of Joseph Peabody & Jacob
Averill to mend the high ways in the year 1737 voted

6 The Town Allowed Seven Shillings to Benjamin How

0-7-0 for Sweeping the Meeting house the Months from ye
first of March Last voted

7 The Town Allowed Thirty Six Shillings To the Trustees

for the £ 60000 Loan for their trouble About the Towns part
of sd Loan from May first 1736 till they had Sent in the fourth
fift part of Said Loan voted I-16-O

Topsfield March 2nd 1737-8 Received of Mr Ivory Hovey
Town Treasurer fifty pound y° full of this within written
order and ye full of My Sailary to yc 2nd of March 1737-8

by me John Emerson

The freeholders and other Inhabitants of Topsfield that
are Quallified as the Law Directs for Voting are hereby noti-
fied and warned to Assemble and Meet together at the Meet-
ing house in Said Town on Thirsday the fourteenth Currant
at Two of the Clock afternoon

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

1 To Chuse Jury men for Newbery Court

2 To See what the Town will Do Concerning the Clay
Ground reserved for the Towns use

3 To See how much Money the Town will raise to Defray
Charges for the year Ensuing

4 to accept of the Selectmens reckoning with ye Town
Treasurer

5 to allow bills of Charge

Datd Topsfield Sep1 ye 7th Anno: Domini 1738
Thomas Perkins Joseph Herrick

Constable of Topsfield David Commings

Benja Towne

At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield Sep1 14th 1738

1 Dea11 Ivory Hovey is Chosen Moderator for this Meet-
ing voted

2 Mr Thomas Baker & Mr Nath11 Porter Junr are Chosen
by the Direction of Law to Serve on the Jury of Tryals at
the Next Inferiour Court to be holden at Newbery

3 Doc1 Michael Dwinel & Edmun Towne are Chosen to
take the Enspection of the Clay Ground which belongs to
the Town to See that No out Towns man or men Shall Dig
or Carry away any Clay or brick from Said Clay Ground

voted

4 The Town agreed to raise Eighty pound (besides Mr

Emersons Salary to Defray the charges of the Town the En-
suing year voted

5 The Town accepted of the Selectmen Reckoning with ye
Town Treasurer

6 the Town Allowed Twenty pound to the School Com-

mitte viz To Phineas Redington & Thomas Dwinel: To pay
Mr Hovey for keeping School two Months; And to pay Mr
Howlet for keeping School two Months in the Spring and
Summer past voted 20-0-0

Topsfield May the 26th 1738 then Recd of ye Trustees of
ye £60000 Loan viz Eliezer Lake Tobijah Perkins & Jacob
Peabody the Sum of Two pounds two Shillings and three
pence in full for the Towns part of the interest of sd Loan
from May ye 1 : 1736 till May Ist 1737

I Say Recd by me Ivory Hovey Treasurer for sd Town

Selectmen
of Topsfield

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS,

Boston 2 June, 1738 Recd of the Trustees of the Town of
Topsfield P hand Mr Joseph Gould fifty two pound Sixteen
shillings being the 4th 5th of the 6oooo£ Loan & four pound
four Shillings Six pence Intr to June 1 737

£ 52 16 0 W Frye Treasurer

4- 4-6
£ 5 7- 0-6

The Freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field, such as are qualified, as ye Law directs, for voting, are
hereby notified & warned to assemble & meet together at ye
Meeting House in sd Topsfield, on Tuesday ye sixth Day of
March next ensuing the Date hereof at eight of ye Clock in
ye fore noon

1. To choose a Town Clerk, Constables, Selectmen & other
Town officers annually to be chosen

2. To see what ye Town will do about Mr Emerson’s Sal-
ary, or how much more they will allow him for ye ensuing
year

3. To see what ye Town will do about ye Clay Ground re-
served for the Towns use

4. To allow Bills of Charge

5. To see what ye Town will do relating to our neighbours

in Ipswich farms coming
Approve Juryors

6. To see what the Town will do

into Township with us. And to
about fencing the Par-

sonage

Dated Topsfield February ye 22nd Anno Dom0n 1738-9
Thomas Perkins Joseph Hirrick

Dan Clarke ! Daniel Redingto

Constables of j David Cummings

Topsfield J Benja Towne

Selectmen

Topsfield

At a legal Town Meeting in Topsfield March 6 1738-9

1. Mr John Wildes is Chosen Moderator for this Meeting

voted

2. Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for ye year en-
suing voted

3. Mr Thomas Baker & M* Dan Clarke are Chosen Con-
stables for ye year ensuing voted

4. Mr Benjamin Towne Lieu* Tobijah Perkins Mr Daniel

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

Gould Mr John Wildes & Mr Daniel Redington are Chosen
Selectmen for the year ensuing voted

5. Mr David Balch is Chosen Town Treasurer for ye year

ensuing voted

6. Mr Israel Towns is Chosen sealer of leather for ye year

ensuing voted

7. Mr Luke Averill, Mr Nathan Peabody & Mr Joseph Per-
kins are Chosen Tythingmen for ye year ensuing voted

8. Mr Amos Dorman Mr John Davis & Mr Solomon Gould
are Chosen Surveyers of highways for ye year ensuing voted

9. Lieu' Joseph Dorman Joseph Hovey & Mr Nathaniel
Capen are Chosen fence viewers for ye year ensuing voted

10. Mr Jeremiah Towne, Mr Isaac Estev & Mr Joseph Hir-
rick Junr are Chosen hogreeves for the year ensuing voted

1 1. IMr Nath11 Averill Junr Mr Eliezer Lake & Jacob Pea-

body are Chosen a committee to settle bounds with ye Pro-
prietors of the land that joyns upon ye Clay Ground reserved
for the Towns use voted

12. The Town manifested by a vote that they were willing
to recieve our Neighbours in Ipswich farms into Township
with us: and Mr Joseph Hirrick Mr George Bixby & Mr
Joseph Towne are chosen a committee to treat with our sd
neighbours in Ipswich farms, to see upon what Terms they
will joyn with us as [a] Township, and make return of their
proceedings in sd affair, to ye Town at their next meeting

voted

13 The Town allowed one pound nine shillings & six
pence to Mr Daniel Clark for boarding ye Glazers & keeping
their horses while they” mended the meeting House Glass the
last winter voted 1-9-6

14. The Town allowed sixteen shillings & 6 pence to Mr
Daniel Gould for John Spauldings rates voted 0-16-6

15. The Town allowed twenty one pounds sixteen shillings

& eight pence to the School Commtee Mr Thomas Dwinell
Mr Phinhas Redington & Mr Richard Dexter for defraying
the. Charges of the school for four months & eleven days the
year past voted 21 16 8

16. The Town allowed to Ivlr Joseph Hirrick one pound

fifteen shillings 1 15 O

and to Mr David Cummings three pounds five shillings

3 05 o

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

and to Mr Benjan Towne one pound twelve shillings I 12 o

they having paid the aforesd Sums to the Glazers that
mended the Meeting House Glass ye last winter voted

17. The Town allowed to Mr Epraim Wildes ten Shillings
and Six pence for Timber to Mend ye highways ye year past

voted 0-10-6

18. The Town allowed five shillings to M* Sam53 Curtis for
timber to mend the highways the year past voted O 5 O

19. The Town agreed to give to ye Revend Mr John Em-
erson thirty pounds more than his Salary for this year voted

The Several Town officers Chosen at the Last Town Meet-
ing Which yc Law requires to be Sworn All took the oath
belonging to their Respective Offices on the Sixth, and on
the Sixteenth Days of March 1738-9 (Except Mr David Balch
who was Chosen Town Treasurer And refused to Serve)

The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield Such as are Lawfully Quailified for Voting in Town
Meeting are hereby Notified and Warned to Assemble and
Meet together at the Meeting house in Said Topsfield on
Tuseday the Twentieth Day of March Currant at two of the
Clock afternoon

1 To Chuse Jury men for Ipswich Court According to
Warrant

2 To Choose a Town Treasurer

3. To Choose a Committee to Supply the Town with a
School master for the year Ensuing

4. To Accept of the return of the Committe that was to
Treat with our Neighbours in Ipswich farms Coming into
Township with us and to Act on that Affair as Shall be
Needfull

5 To Allow Swine to Go at Large as the Law Directs

6 To Allow bills of Charge

Datd Topsfield March the 16th A: D: 1738-9

Dan Clarke } , ~ ~ . ,

Constable f Topsfield

John Wildes
Tobijah Perkins
Daniel Gould
Benja Towne

Selectmen
of Topsfield

At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 20th
1738-9

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

1 Mr John Wildes is Chosen Moderator for this Meeting

voted

2 Cap* Joseph Gould is Chosen to Serve on ye Grand jury

ye year Ensuing voted

3 Mr Jesse Dorman and Mr Nathaniel Bordman are Drawn
out of the box to Serve on ye Jury of Tryalls at the next In-
feriour Court to be holden at Ipswich

4 Mr Richard Towne is Chosen Town Treasurer for ye

year Ensuing voted

5 Mr Nathaniel Porter Junr Mr David Commings & Mr
Matthew Peabody are Chosen a Committe to provide a
School master for the Town for the year Ensuing voted

6 The Town Manifested by a Vote that they are willing to
Receive our Neighbours in Ipswich farms Lying on the North
Side of the River into Township with us they being at ye
whole Charge of their being Sett off to this Town

7 Lieu* Tobijah Perkins and Mr Thomas Howlett are Cho-

sen to Inform our Said Neighbours of the Towns Last Vote
Concerning their being Laid to our Town, and to Desire an
answer from our Said Neighbours whether they will take up
with Said Vote or not and Make return to ye Town at the
next Town meeting voted

8 The Town agrees that Swine Shall go at Large this year

according as the Law Gives Liberty voted

9 The Town allowed two Shillings and Six pence to Mr

Nathaniel Capen for Mending the West Gallary in ye Meet-
ing house voted

10 The Town Allowed one pound four Shillings & Six

pence 1-4-6 to Mr John Perkins for Sweeping the Meeting
[house] three Quatters of the Last year and for Mending
the Latch of the East Door voted

11 The Town Allowed one pound 1-0-0 to Cap1 Ivory
Hovey for Serving Town Treasurer the two Last years voted

At a Meeting of the Selectmen of Salem Apriil 2d 1739
this being the year for Perambulations according to Law the
sd Selectmen have Agreed & Do hereby appoint and Impow-
er the persons here after Named or any two of them : to
Meet with such persons as the Selectmen of Topsfield Shall
Appoint on Monday ye 23rd of Apriil Currant at Ten a Clock
at the house of Mr Samuel Porter to Perambulate & renew

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

the bounds between Salem & Topsfield viz Messr Samuel
fflint, Thomas Lee, Samuel Gardner, Samuel Carlton & Israel
Andrew as by Record Appears

Attest John Higginson Town Cler
Pursuant to the within order and at the time therein Di-
rected we Met & Perambulated and renewed the bounds be-
tween Saiem & Topsfield : Begining at a Large White Oak
Tree Marked S. W. T. with a heap of Stones around it Near
Wenham Causey : And from thence to a heap of Stones be-
tween a black or Red Oak Stump (the Tree being Newly
felld) and an old Stump in Bixbys orchard, and from thence
to a heap of Stones near the Corner of Thomas Dwinels Pas-
ture and from thence to a heap of Stones Near Nickolles
Brook a Little above the Sawmill and So on in the same
Course to sd Brook

J Joseph Herrick

his

[ Thomas O Dwinel . ~ ,

> mark lor Salem

j Benju Towne

J Nathaniel Porter Junr

A True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Cler

for

Topsfield

Tho Lee
Israel Andrew
Samuel fflint

We the Subscribers being appointed to Perambulate & re-
new the Bounds between Topsfield & Boxford accordingly
Met on y° 23rd of Aprill 1739 and Renewed the bounds Be-
gining at ye Apple tree in Cap1 Perleys field to a Stake and
heap of Stones at the South Easterly Corner of Mr Bakers
farm now in Boxford, and from thence to a Damm Called
Andrewses Damm near to Mr Thomas Goulds house And
from thence: being the Place where the water Now runs un-
der sd Damm Southerly to a Stake and heap of Stones by
the fishing Brook on the Easterly Side of the Rivulet runing
into Said Brook and thence as sd Brook runs into the river
Called Ipswich River and thence up sd River to Middleton
Line Jeremiah Perley

Ivory Hovey

A True Copy attest Jacob Peabody John Andrew

T : Cler Ephriam Wildes

The freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield that are Quallified as the Law Directs for Voting

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

are Notified & warned to Assemble & meet together at the
Meeting house in Said Topsfield on fryday the Eleventh Day
of May Currant at three of the Clock after noon

1 To Choose a Representative; to Serve in the General
Court

2 To Reckon with Cap1 Hovey, former Treasurer for
Topsfield

3 To Accept ye Return of the Committe, that was to Treat
with our Neighbours in Ipswich farms, Comming into Town-
ship with us And to Act on that Affair

4 To Allow Bills of Charge

5 To Chuse a Grave Diger

6 To See what the Town will do about the Line between
Wenham and Topsfield

Dated Topsfield May the Second Day A: D: 1739

Dan Ciarke Daniel Redington

Constable of Topsfield John Wildes

Benja Towne

A True Copy of the Notification

Attest Jacob Peabody Town Cler

At A Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 11th 1739

1 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Representative to Serve at the
General Court at their Several Sessions the year Ensuing

voted

2 And then Mr Daniel Redington was Chosen Moderator

to order the other affairs of sd meeting voted

3 voted That the Selectmen Shall Reckon with Cap4 Ivory
Hovey a former Town Treasurer

4 Cap1 Ivory Hovey, Lieu1 Tobijah Perkins & Jacob Pea-
body are Appointed and Chosen they or Either of them to
Joyn with our Neighbours in Ipswich Farms Lying on ye
North Side of the River in Petitioning to the Town of Ips-
wich and also to ye Generali Court in order to git our sd
Neighbours Set off from Ipswich to Topsfield : provided our
Said Neighbours will be at ye whole Charge of sd affair voted

5 The Town Allowed To Cap1 Ivory Hovey four pounds

six shillings and three pence: So much being in two former
Constables hands which sd Hovey could not recover when he
was Treasurer voted

6 The Town Allowed fourty Shillings to Mr John Wildes

^ Selectmen
^ of Topsfield

OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

for Sixty rails & Twelve posts and for setting them upon ye
parsonage and for Mending up Some other parsonage fence

voted 2-0-0

Voted that Capr Joseph Gould Mr John Wildes and Mr
Edmond Towne Mr Nathaniel Averill Junr& Jacob Peabody
or the Major part of them be a Committe to Meet with Such
Men as the Town of Wenham hath Appointed or Shall Ap-
point to fix and Settle A Corner bounds between Wenham &
Topsfield on Salem Line in the place where a Straight Line
from the heap of Stones (which Wenham and Topsfield have
often renewed as a Corner bounds) to the Plump of Maples
in the Divisional Line between Said Towns Croses Said Salem
Line

The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield Such as are Qualified as the Law Directs for Vot-
ing: are hereby Notified & Warned to Assemble and Meet
together at ye Meeting house in Topsfield on Munday the
Seventeenth Day of September Currant at one of the Clock
afternoon

1 To Choose Jury men for Newbery Court

2 To See if the Town will Do any thing about Mr Emer-
sons Salary

3 To See if ye Town will Give y° Committe yl was Chosen
to Settle bounds with Wenham any further Power

4 To See how much Money ye Town will raise this year

5 To Allow Bills of Charge

Dated Topsfield September 12th 1739

Benj'1 Towne

Tho8 Baker Constable: John Wildes

Daniel Redington

A True Copy of ye Notification attest Jacob Peabody T : Cl

Selectmen
of Topsfield

At a Legal Town Meeting in Topsfield Sep1 ye 17th 1739
j Mr John Wildes is Chosen Moderator for this Meeting

voted

2 Mr Nathaniel Averill Junr & Mr Thomas Howlet are

Chosen to Serve on ye Jury of Tryalls at the Next Inferiour
Court to be holden at Newbury voted

3 Voted that the Selectmen Shall raise a Tax of Eighty
pounds to Defray the Town Charges this year

EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN

4 Whereas the Committe that was Chosen the Eleventh of
May Last in order to Settle ye bounds between Wenham and
Topsfield: Have not agreed with Wenham Committe about
the bounds: and after Some Discourse on sd affair the Ques-
tion was put whether the Town will Give our sd Committe
any further Power in order to Said Settlement and it passed
in the Negative

5 The Town allowed the School Committe viz Mr Matthew

Peabody, Mr Nathaniel Porter Junr & Mr David Commings
1 3- 1 5 0 thirteen pound fifteen Shillings to pay the School
master for two Months & three weeks Service in keeping
School this year voted

6 The Town Allowed one pound thirteen Shillings & three

pence 1 - 13-3 to Mr Benjamin Towne, for buying Several
Measures for the Town and for Gitting the Town Waights
and Measures Seal[e]d voted

7 The Town Allowed one pound Six Shillings to Phillip

Towne for 20 five hole posts & two Days work about ye par-
sonage voted

8 The Town Gave the Towns old half bushel to Dan Clark

for bringing a New' half bushel from Salem voted

Boston 3d July 1739 Recd of the Trustees of Topsfield p
hand Mr Jacob Peabody Fifty two pounds Sixteen Shillings
being the Last 5th of the 60000 £ Loan, and two pounds two
Shillings three pence interest to June 1738

Win Frye Treasurer

Th is is A True Copy of ye Treasurers Receipt Attest Ja-
cob Peabody T Cler

September ye 30th 1739 The Congregation in Topsfield
Contributed the Sum of Eight pounds Seventeen Shillings
and Six pence towards the Support of the Reverend Mr
Torrys Cause in Secureing the Ministerial Lands in Narran-
ganset for a Congregational Minister Which Sum I Delivered
to the Reverend Mr Thomas Prince a Pastor of ye old South
church in Boston and took a Receipt for ye Same

Jacob Peabody

{To be continued.)

C .DUNHAM.

I. J.P. COLLYER.

M.P. WEBSTER

R. STONE.

ATKINSON

A. F. BAILEY.

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL

CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

BY LEONE PARKER WELCH.

The plan and scope of this paper, which in abstracted form
was read before the Society, March 6, 1914, is to give briefly
an insight into the life, character and achievements of those
who have been the official spiritual leaders of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Topsfield. From the wealth of bio-
graphical material at hand statements of fact have been culled,
to which have been added personal estimates (carefully
avoiding fulsome praise and sharp criticism) by those amply
qualified for the task, with now and then an anecdote or ob-
servation from a reliable source. This church has been
fortunate in the intellectual strength, the sincerity of purpose
and the influential and commanding positions attained in the
denomination by her ministry, furnishing no fewer than seven
Presiding Elders or District Superintendents,* a University
President,! writers of recognized reputation and many effi-
cient pastors.

The history of this church as a society may be found in
Volume III of these Historical Collections where Mrs. Clarissa
A. Glazier (now deceased) accurately and most interestingly

*Mess. Swinerton, Paulson, Rodgers, Manson, Curnick, Dixon and
Reader.

f Rev. James T. Docking

(89)

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

relates the story of the inception and growth of the organ-
ization.

It well may be said that Ezra Glazier of Ipswich, was the
founder of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Topsfield.
He was born at West Boylston, Mass., December 1 8 , 1800,
the son of Jason and Sarah (Dinsmore) Glazier. With very
limited school advantages, at an early age he came to Salem
in 1818 and found employment with Bickford, the baker, on
Turner street, and after six years’ service as an apprentice,
opened a bakery on High street. Ipswich. To him the
spread of the Kingdom of God was of chiefest importance,
and he entered into active Christian service with intense zeal
and unbounded enthusiasm and reached the hearts of the
people in a remarkable manner. Topsfield was included in
his field of labor and at the first service held in the North
school house in May, 1830, he found a responsive people.
Regular worship was thereafter maintained, and on October
20, 1830, a Methodist Episcopal Church was organized with
fifteen members. About 1850 Mr. Glazier removed to Sa-
lem and opened a furniture store on Charter street which he
and his son conducted for many years. He married Oct.
23, 1823, Mary, daughter of Capt. David and Mary (Collins)
Smith of Salem and died June 10, 1894.

Rev. Jacob Sanborn, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Ipswich, in 1830, naturally was interested in ex-
tending Methodism and upon his attention being called to
the Topsfield opportunity he volunteered to hold preaching
services here during the summer of 1830, which offer was
gladly accepted, and in August he baptised thirteen people
in the Ipswich River in the rear of Capt. Adams’ barn, in the
presence of a large company. Mr. Sanborn, the son of
Deacon Abraham and Deborah Sanborn, who were Baptists,
was born in Unity, New Hampshire, May 16, 1788. He
joined the New England Conference in 1812 and was Presid-
ing Elder on the New Hampshire District in 1818-1822.
He died March 16, 1867.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD. 9 1

The Pastoral Succession.

William Nanscawen
Asa U. Swinerton
Robert D. Estabrook
Thomas Stetson
David Culver
Benjamin King
Charles S. Macreading
Henry B. Skinner
John E. Risley
Simon E. Pike
George F. Pool
George W. Bates
Chester Field, Jr.
Leonard B. Griffin
Amos Walton
Ziba B. C. Dunham
Isaac J. P. Collyer
Moses P. Webster
John Paulson
William R. Stone
Kinsman Atkinson
John G. Cary
Augustus F. Bailey
Jeremiah W. Bemis
Stephen G. Hiler, Jr.
John C. Smith
Franklin Furber
Abraham M. Osgood
George Sutherland
Joseph W. Lewis
Abraham I). Merrill
Edwin S. Snow

1830

1830- 1831

1831- 1832

1832- 1833

1833- 1834
1834
1834

T 834-1 836

1836

1836-1838
1838-1839
1839 1840

1 840- 1 84 1

1841- 1842

1842- 1843

1843- 1845

1845- 1846

1846- I847

1847- 1849
1849 1851
T85I-1853

1853- 1854

1854

1854- I855

1855 1856

1856- 1857

1857- I858

1858- 1860
1 860- 1 86 1
1861 -1863
1863-1864

Franklin G. Morris
George E. Chapman
William D. Bridge
Stephen F. Chase
James F. Mears
Samuel A. Fuller
George W. Buzzell
William H. Meredith
Stephen L. Rodgers
George H. Clarke
Albert C. iManson
Nathaniel H. Martin
James T. Docking
Paul C. Curnick
Theodore W. Haven
Charles H. Fuller
Samuel Reid
Joseph Simpson
Lewis J. Reader
John B. Gough
1. Murray Mellish
William N. Roberts
Edwin C. Dixon
H. William Hook
Herbert S. Dow
John G. Benson
Ottis Tevis Martin
William H. McLean
William R. Ward
George M. Boicourt
Phillipp Deschner

1864-1866

1866- 1867

1867- 1869

1869- 1870

1870- 1872

1872- 1873

1873- 1875

1875-1877

1877-1879

1879-1882

1882- 1883

1883- 1886

1886- 1887

1887- 1889

1889- 1890

1890- 1892

1892- 1893

1893- 1894

1894- 1895

1895- 1896

1896- 1900
1900-1902

1902- 1903

1903- 1905
1905-1907
1907-1909
1 909-1 9 1 1
191 1

191 1- 1912

1912- 1914
1914-

REV. William Nanscawen.

He was a local preacher* and is entitled to the distinc-
tion of having been the first appointee of a Presiding
Elder to this people which occurred in September, 1830,
but as he served only a month, it is not surprising that he
left no foot-prints of the sands of time which are now dis-
cernible. Perhaps it should added that failing health caused
the brevity of his stay.

*By local preachers is meant one who has been hired to preach but
without authority to administer the sacrament.

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

Rev. Asa U. Swinerton.

He finished the conference year of 1830. He was the son
of John Swinerton, Jr., and Elizabeth (Upton) Swinerton,
and was born in Danvers, October 30, 1801, and joined the
New England Conference on trial in 1830. From the fact
that the society was organized into a Methodist Episcopal
Church within a month of his arrival (on October 20th) we
may assume that his appointment was wise and that his ser-
vice was efficient. He was Presiding Elder of the New
London District, 1838-1840, and died at Monument (Sand-
wich, Mass.), October 12, 1863.

Rev. Robert D. Esterbrook.

He was born in Barnstable, October 7, 1803, and was ap-
pointed to this charge in 1831. He was a person of deep
religious conviction and of high spirituality and his ministry
found pastor and people working shoulder to shoulder in
the erection of a house of worship, an enterprise which was
carried to a successful conclusion. The building (dedicated
December 28, 1831) was located on the westerly side of the
Newburyport Turnpike between Ipswich Street and the Old
Ipswich Road. His death occurred November 4, 1852.

Rev. Thomas Stetson.

He was the son of Thomas and Lydia Drew (Hollis) Stet-
son and was born January 7, 1804, at Scituate, and died
December 28, 1881, at East Pembroke. With his savings
while a district schoolteacher he pursued his studies at
Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, and in 1832 was admitted
to the New England Conference. He was pastor of .the
church in 1832, and appears to have been an optimist amid
discouraging surroundings, but his faithful service produced
but little in the way of tangible results. He remained in the
Conference but four years. He was six feet or more in
stature, spare of flesh, with clear cut features; a strong in-
tellectual face. He was a subscriber to Zion’s Herald when
it was first issued and it continued to come regularly to the
Stetson home until the death of his widow in 1892.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

Rev. David Culver.

He was an evangelistic preacher, and was stationed here
in 1833, and the pastorate met with a good measure of suc-
cess. In 1840 he withdrew from the Conference and no
further information concerning him is now obtainable. He
was the first married pastor of the Topsfield Church.

Rev. Benjamin King.

He was a local preacher and supplied the church for a
few weeks in 1834 and then was relieved from service at his
own request. He was paid his travelling expenses, but re-
ceived no compensation for his services.

Rev. Charles S. Macreading.

He was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, February 3,
i8ii,and died in Plainfield, Illinois, April 12, 1866. He
was a licensed preacher at the age of twenty years and
admitted to the New England Conference in 1831 and was
pastor at Topsfield in 1834 until November. He was a man
of ability, but his intemperate speech about neutralized his
excellent pastoral services. During the Civil War he was
chaplain of the 39th Illinois Infantry.

Rev. Henry B. Skinner.

Mr. Skinner was a local preacher who supplied the church
from November, 1834 to July, 1835. He was the son of
Elias and Sarah A. Skinner and was born at Taunton. He was
admitted to this Conference in 1835, ^ut in 1843, owing to
continued ill health, he resigned. He was a preacher of
power and many felt the touch of new life. For several
years he was a broker in Boston, and committed suicide in
Young’s Hotel on July 2, 1888.

Rev. John Edward Risley.

He was pastor of the church from January to April, 1836.
The son of George and Jerusha Risley, he was born at
Greensboro, Vermont, March 27, 1802, and was a member

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

of the Conference from 1822 to 1841. He was a voluminous
writer. The history of the churches he served in the Need-
ham District, containing his experiences and personal esti-
mate of the condition of these churches, is deposited with the
Methodist Episcopal Historical Society, Boston. He died
October 6, 1889, at Framingham.

Rev. Simon E. Pike.

He was pastor from April to December, in 1836. He was
admitted to the Conference in 1836 and spent his entire
ministerial life in this charge. He was discontinued ,by the
Conference in 1837.

Rev. George Franklin Pool.

He was pastor from December, 1836 to July, 1838. He
was the son of James and Darkis (Mansfield) Pool, and was
born in Lynn, February 18, l8ii,and graduated from Brown
University in 1833. He was admitted to the Conference in
1837, and, with the exception of the years 1842 and 1843
when he was principal of Kent Academy, East Greenwich,
accepted regular appointments until 1850 and then located.
He died November 6, 1886, at Lynn. During his pastorate
in Topsfield many were brought into active Christian service.

Rev. George Washington Bates.

Mr. Bates, the pastor in 1838, was the son of Rev. Lewis
and Elizabeth (Webster) Bates and was born in Salisbury,
October 16, 1811, graduated from the Wesleyan Academy at
Wilbraham, and died Sept. 24, 1851. He was a man of deep
spiritual life, exceptional ability and original ideas, and his
pastorate witnessed large accessions to the church. His son,
Rev. George Hubert Bates, was born in Topsfield, May 3,
1839-

Rev. Chester Field, Jr.

Mr. Field, the pastor in 1839, was the son of Chester and
Sophia Field, and was born in Deerfield, September 4, 1816

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSF1ELD.

and died Nov. 24. 1864, at Newtonville. He was a man of
executive ability and was the first pastor of the Saratoga
Street (East Boston) M. E. Church. He had a fine voice,
was ready and rich in prayer and instructive in discourse,
simple and engaging in manner. A lover of good books, his
library of more than 3.000 volumes was the largest of any
traveling preacher in his day. An admirable conversation-
alist. During this pastorate the meeting house was moved
from the Turnpike to the present Lake*Elliott land on Main
street.

Rev. Leonard B. Griffin.

He was the pastor in 1840 and during his pastorate many
were stirred to live the Christian life, but he withdrew from
the Conference in 1845 an<^ no facts relative to his later career
have been traced.

Rev. Amos Walton.

He was the son of William and Sarah Walton, was born
at Fitchburg, June 10, 1804, joined the Conference in 1842
and was expelled therefrom in 1851. He was the pastor at
Topsfield in 1841. Everyone was impressed with his intense
sincerity and convincing form of stating Christian truths.
He was the first pastor of the Peabody (M. E.) church.
During his residence in Topsfield he lived in the house on
Main street now owned by E. Otis Gould. He died Oct.
10, 1892, at Lowell.

Rev. Ziba Bass Cary Dunham.

The pastor in 1842 was the son of Ezra and Polly (Cary)
Dunham, and was born in Abington, January 19, 1813. In
1838 he was admitted to the Conference on trial and retained
membership therein for 68 years. For 14 years he was con-
nected with the American Peace Society and delivered the
semi-centennial address before the Conference in 1888. He
died January 21, 1906, at Winthrop.

He wrote a very strange article upon “The use of Tobacco”
which he deposited with the Methodist Episcopal Historical

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

Society, with instructions that the envelope should not be
opened until after his death. By an act of the Legislature
in 1849 his name was changed to Howard Cary Dunham.

Rev. Isaac J. P. Collyer.

The pastor in 1843 and 1844, was the son of William
and Margaret Collyer, and was born in Seekonk, May 19,
1814. He died May 7, 1872, at Boston Highlands. He
preached his first and last sermon at Boston Highlands. He
was the first preacher to remain with the Topsfield church
for two years. He had a passion for winning souls. A
former associate has said : — “He was the greatest preacher I
ever knew to present the law — the terrors of Divine condem-
nation on unrepentent sinners. I now distinctly recall two
or three of these sermons which he delivered at Asbury
Grove. Under the clearness, dignity, tenderness and effective-
ness of his appeal all opposition gave way to tender and
penetential feeling on the part of his hearers. He was a man
of fine presence and among those who left the most abiding
reputation as a preacher of great power.”

During his first year in Topsfield he lived in the “Stone
house” on Salem street (built in 1836 and taken down in
1885) ; his residence the second year was the house now owned
by Mrs. Annah Balch Jordan. The latter house has also
been the residence of Rev. John Emerson and Rev. Rodney
Gove Dennis of the Congregational Church.

Rev. Moses P. Webster.

The pastor in 1845 was the son of Joseph and Sophia
Webster and was born in Sanford, Maine, July 11, 1810.
In 1821 he joined the Maine Conference and in 1845 was
transferred to the New England Conference and sent to
Topsfield. He died April 28, 1891, in Leominister. This
pastorate was conspicuous by reason of the apparent absence
of aggressive Christian work.

Rev. John Paulson.

The pastor in 1846 was born in Canada in 1820. His

GEO.E. CHAPMAN W. D . BRIDGE.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

education was received at the Wesleyan Academy and at the
Biblical Institute of Concord, N. H. He joined the Con-
ference in 1845 anc* ^ 1858 removed to Kansas. He was
mustered into the military service of the United States as
chaplain in the Eighth Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Infan-
try, and was honorably discharged at San Antonio, Texas,
November 28, 1865. He was appointed Presiding Elder of
the Fort Scott District in 1869; and in 1876 was the Pro-
hibition candidate for Governor. He conducted a vigorous
but unsuccessful campaign. In 1880 prohibition was carried
in Kansas. He was for a number of years editor of “The
New Century,” a Prohibition publication. He died March
4. 1893.

Rev. William Rodman Stone.

The pastor in 1847 ar|d 1848, was the son of John and
Elizabeth Stone and was born in Portsmouth, N. H., July 25,
1798, and was admitted to the conference in 1825, and died
June 28, 1875, at Cambridgeport. He was City Missionary
of Cambridge in 1854 1855, and chaplain of the House of
Correction, Middlesex County, 1856- 1870. While pastor at
South Walpole he became greatly exercised for the future
welfare of the church and the community and appointed a
meeting at the parsonage — the old Polley Tavern — for any-
one who was willing to come to it, not neglecting any other
meeting, to pray for a revival of religion. The meeting was
attended by one person beside the pastor and for a consider-
able time it had no more than two or three present. After-
wards it began to fill up and the pastor was obliged to re-
move the meeting to the church, where meetings were held
every evening, with the result that the church experienced
the greatest revival in its history and in which every official
member save one, who was a sea captain and came in after-
wards, was converted to God.

Rev. Kinsman Atkinson.

The pastor in 1849 and 1850, was the son of Samuel and
Sarah Atkinson, and was born at Buxton, Maine, October 16,
1807, and died Dec. 23, 1889, at Cambridge, Mass. He was

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

graduated from Harvard in 1834, and in 1838 was ordained to
the Congregational ministry but having changed his views of
church polity, he joined the Methodist Conference in 1843.
He had supreme confidence in his own judgment and used
all resources at his command to carry to successful comple-
tion all lines of work undertaken. He taught the Winter
term of the Linebrook (Ipswich) school in 1848 9, the fall
term of 1849 of the Topsfield Academy and also the North
school, Topsfield, during the winter of 1849-50. He
was regarded as a scholarly man and was very helpful in
cultivating scholarly tastes among his pupils. The present
parsonage is a monument to his untiring efforts for Mr.
Atkinson purchased the lot on High street and had made
substantial progress in the erection of the house at his own
expense, before the church caught the spirit of co-operation
and even then the flame of enthuasism burned so slowly that
the building was not completed during the pastorate. Prior
to the erection of this parsonage, the ministers resided, with
the exceptions before mentioned, in the Porter house on the
Turnpike, built in 1808.

Rev. John G. Cary.

The pastor in 1851 and 1852, was the son of Phineas and
Hannah (Trumbull) Cary, and was born at Worcester, Sep-
tember 20, 1817 and died May 11, 1904 at Boston. He
received regular assignments in the Conference from 1849 to
1854. He was secretary of the Boston Wesleyan Associa-
tion for 19 years, and for 20 years of the Asbury Camp
Meeting Association, and for many years of the Preachers’
Aid Society. He was an exceedingly conscientious and
devoted man of God. Retiring from the ministry by reason
of a throat affection, he engaged in the leather business in
Boston for a number of years and met with unusual success.
Before entering commercial life, it appears that he made a
pledge that if he was ever worth a certain sum of money he
would retire. He easily reached his goal, and true to his
word, retired from business. Afterwards finding that his
income was insufficient to give him adequate support, he re-
entered his old firm, was again successful, and a few years

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

later permanently retired from active business. A large part
of his estate was given to the Preachers’ Aid Society of the
Conference. He lived in the house now occupied by Dr.
Jenkins, Billingsgate Hill road, until the parsonage on High
street was ready for occupancy.

Rev. Augustus Franklin Bailey.

The pastor in 1853, was the son of Col. Uriah and Julia
(Gage) Bailey, and was born in West Newbury, October 12,
1819. While a law student he joined the Congregational
Church, but upon deciding to enter the ministry his views of
church polity changed, and he cast his lot with the Metho-
dists, and was admitted to Conference in 1850 and received
appointments till 1868, when he was transferred to the Troy
Conference, where he remained for seveeteen years. In 1862
he engaged in a notable debate with Rev. Geo. M. Steele be-
fore the Preachers’ Meeting in Boston on the “Pre-millennial
coming of Christ.” He was the first preacher appointed by
Conference to the Ballardvale (M. E.) Church. He was a
man of attractive presence, of rather ready wit and a man of
positive convictions. He possessed a comfortable estate and
passed an agreeable old age in Bradford, Mass., where he
died May 22, 1895.

Rev. Jeremiah W. Bemis.

The pastor from May to September, 1854, was born in
Weathersfield, Vermont, November 28, 1819. For a num-
ber of years he was a teacher in the Springfield Wesleyan
Seminary. In 1846 he was received on trial in the Vermont
Annual Conference and in 1854 was transferred to this Con-
ference and was sent to Topsfield, which was his only pas-
torate in Massachusetts, as he returned to Vermont the fol-
lowing year. For about 8 years he was agent and correspond-
ing secretary of the Vermont Bible Society. He died, April
21, 1894, in Northfield, Vermont. The noteworthy event of
this pastorate was the dedication (June 14, 1854) of the
present church edifice.

100

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

Rev. Stephen G. Hiler, Jr.

The pastor from December, 1854, to April, 1855, was the
son of Stephen G. and Rebecca (Perry) Hiler, and was born
in Boston, in 1815. He was admitted to the New England
Conference in 1839, and was the first pastor of the North
Andover (M. E.) Church. He was a man of very genial
manners and died December 9, 1897, 'n Malden. While in
Topsfield he lived in the Elmore Johnson house on Boston
street.

Rev. John C. Smith

The pastor in 1855, was the son of Harry and Maria
Smith, and was born in St. Albans, Ohio, June 4. 1826. He
joined the Conference in 1848 and filled many of its impor-
tant pulpits. He displayed far larger financial abilities than
capacity for spiritual leadership. He died, April 18, 1890,
at West Medway.

Rev. Franklin Furber.

The pastor in 1856, was the son of David and Sally (Haley)
Furber, and was born in Northwood, New Hampshire, No-
vember 11, 1816. He joined the New Hampshire Conference
in 1840 and served ten charges and was admitted to the New
England Conference in 1850, and received nineteen appoint-
ments here. He acquired a handsome property, and was of
material assistance to young preachers of promise. A man
to be respected, honored, and trusted. He died February
28. 1903. at Milton.

Rev. Abraham M Osgood.

The pastor in 1857 was a son of Capt. Isaac and Betsey
(Ham) Osgood and was born at Epping, N. H.. May 29,
1813. He was admitted to the N. H. Conference in 1839,
and later to the N. E. Conference. He was in the active
ministry but a few years as his health failed him at the age
of 22 years. He was drowned at Stonington. Conn., Feb. 8,
1878. and the funeral was held in the M. E. Church in
Marblehead where his son was then living. He had all the

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

IOI

enthusiasm and earnestness of the old-time preacher and after
pastor and people became adjusted to each other a season
of in gathering followed.

Rev. George Sutherland.

The pastor i n 1 8 5 8 and 1859 was a son of George and
Macrelia (Byron) Sutherland and was born in Boston, July
16, 1806, and died July 31, 1891, at Chelsea. He was re-
ceived on probation in the Conference in 1825, but in 1832
by reason of impaired health he was compelled to take a
superannuary relation and in 1836 he engaged in business in
Boston. In 1855 he was re-admitted to Conference and
received appointments till 1874 when he became a supernu-
mery and in 1888 was superannuated. He was the first
pastor of the Bellingham (M. E ) Church, Chelsea. His
pastorate in Topsfield stands out with clearness by reason
of his success in freeing the church from an indebtedness
of about $3,300. It should be borne in mind that the meet-
ing house was being advertised for sale at public auction to
satisfy debts long overdue when Mr. Sutherland received the
appointment, but when informed of the desperate financial
condition, he immediately called a meeting of the Board of
Trustees to devise ways and means of saving the property.
At this meeting the Board admitted their inability to cope
with the situation and thereupon the pastor, single handed,
secured a postponement of the sale and by a house to house
canvass raised the sum required to cancel the indebtedness.
His dismissal of the choir at the close of his final church
service astonished and embarrassed even his closest friends.

Rev. Joseph Whitmore Lewis.

The pastor in i860 was the son of Timothy and Sally
Wait (Whitmore) Lewis and the eldest of nine children. He
was born in Royalston, Mass., June 23, 1812. He was re
ceived on trial in the Conference in 1835 and is generally
credited with preaching the first Methodist sermon in Clinton.
He died in Clinton. January 17, 1889.

102

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

Rev. Abraham Dow Merrill.

The pastor from 1861 to November, 1862 was a son of
Major Joshua and Mehitable (Dow) Merrill, and was born in
Salem, N. H., March 7, 1796. In 1822 he was received on
trial in the Conference. He was the first pastor of the Ep-
worth (formerly the North Avenue) M. E. Church in Cam-
bridge. On December 25, 1866, he preached the first
Methodist sermon ever heard in East Peppered.

“I now recall having made him an early morning call while
he was stationed at the Bellingham Church, Chelsea. Upon
making known my business to Mrs. Merrill, I was informed
‘That Mr. Merrill is engaged in private prayer and I never
disturb him upon these occasions.’ I suspected as much.
More than a block away upon approaching the parsonage I
heard his voice. My first thought was that he was reading
aloud and then that he was addressing a large congregation.
I afterward learned that it was the hour of his customary
private devotions. He had more language of church exper-
imental sweetness and richness of expression than any minis-
ter of my acquaintance. He basked in the sunlight of
Heaven.”

A bust of Father Merrill occupies a conspicious place in
the rooms of the M. E. Historical Society in the Wesleyan
Building, Boston. He died April 29, 1878, in Dorchester.

Rev. Edwin Smith Snow.

The pastor from November, 1862, and in 1863, was born
in Eastford, Conn., December 26, 1832. He was graduated
from the Wesleyan University in 1858 and taught school in
Palmer, Mass., from 1859 to 1862. He joined the Conference
in 1863 and received appointments therefrom until 1869
when failing health compelled him to request a supernumery
relation and he removed to Eldorado, Kansas, where he died
May 21, 1874. He was modest and quiet and of abilities
that with greater self confidence would have made a far
wider impression.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

103

Rev. Franklin G. Morris.

The pastor in 1864 and 1865 was the son of John and Eliza
(Carter) Morris and was born at East Salisbury, Mass., in
1841 . He joined the Conference in 1865 and located in 1882.
He was a man of greater business than pastoral faculty and
was drawn into business at a comparatively early period in
life. He was the official court stenographer for Hampden
County from February n, 1889, to April 10, 1909, when he
resigned. He is now a photographer in Northampton. Au-
gust 26, 1869, he was married to Georgie A., daughter of
George H. and Olive G. Waterhouse of Topsfield.

Rev. George E. Chapman.

The pastor in 1866 was the son of James L. and Susan M.
(Emmons) Chapman and was born in Sing Sing, New York,
in 181 1 , and died at Gardner, Mass., November 1, 1894. He
joined the New England Conference in 1850 and was super-
annuated in 1880. He was not a man of large gifts or liberal
education but was eminently sweet-tempered and deeply de-
voted to his work

Rev. William Dawson Bridge.

The pastor in 1867 and 1868 was son of Rev. Jonathan D.
and Abigail L. Bridge and was born in Duxbury, February
23. 1840. He joined the Conference in 1863 and retired
from the active ministry in 1901. He was the official sten-
ographer of the General Conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church in 1880 and 1888, and chief of the reportorial
staff from 1892 to 1908. He was Conference necrologist,
1867 1887, and assistant secretary of the Conference for
twelve years.

When Mr. Bridge arrived in Topsfield he found the society
in a period of struggle and uncertainty, but soon the church
began to show life and commencing with January first, meet-
ings were held for one hundred consecutive evenings, the
pastor being assisted by Mother Holway and his own mother.
Eighty five persons joined the church on probation and dur-
ing the pastorate forty-six of this number were received into

104

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

full membership. This is the largest revival in the history of
the church. But I have mentioned only the spiritual side of
the work, yet the material gains were equally astonishing.

The 50th anniversary of the marriage of Rev. and Mrs.
Bridge was observed in Miller Chapel of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, Orange, New Jersey, on Thanksgiving
eve, 1913, by nearly 300 relatives and friends.

Rev. Stephen Freeman Chase.

The pastor in 1869 was born in Unity, Maine, September
13, 1825. He joined the East Maine Conference in 1859
and in 1867 was transferred to the N. E. Conference and
stationed at the Lafayette M. E. Church, Salem. Upon re-
covering from a severe attack of pneumonia he suggested to
the Conference that he receive a small charge and according-
ly was assigned to Topsfield. At the close of this pastorate
he retired from the active ministry and took up the study and
practice of dentistry and for eleven years practiced in Salem.
But the work of the ministry had never lost its charm for him
and he gladly went back to the pulpit at not over Jth the in-
come his practice had given him. At the end of two years
his wife’s health was such as to forbid continuance in the
Methodist itinerancy and he returned to dental practice. He
opened an office in Boston but at the request of many citizens
of Newtonville, he transferred his practice to that place,
where he has conducted a successful business ever since. In
i860 he married Ellen M. Doe of Augusta, Maine, and of
their five children, Herbert M., was born in Topsfield, July
1 1 , 1869.

Rev. James F. Mears

The pastor in 1870 and 1871 was born in Bristol, Maine,
September 6, 1837 and graduated from Boston University
School of Theology in 1870 and was received as a proba-
tioner in the Conference the same year. He received regu-
lar assignments until 1902 when he superannuated and took
up a residence at Saugus. His preaching was original,
Methodistic and spiritual. He died July 20, 1913, at Saugus.

REV. GEO. W. BATES. REV. JOHN G. CARY. REV. PAUL C. CURNiCK.
REV. STEPHEN L. RODGERS. REV. JAS. T. DOCKING. REV. STEPHEN G. HILER.
REV. CHAS. H. FULLER. REV. SAMUEL REID. REV JOHN B. GOUGH.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

105

Rev. Samuel Alexander Fuller.

The pastor in 1872 and 1873 was son of Samuel and Nancy
(Coombs) Fuller (Episcopalians) and was born in Boston,
July 10, 1825, and died July 28, 1902, at Watertown. He
was an artist of reputation, having painted the portraits of
Henry Clay, Gov. Henry A. Wise and other prominent men
of Virginia, and the portrait of former Gov. John D. Long in
the State House bears his name. For a number of years he
had a studio at 1 50 Tremont St., Boston.

In early life he was an agnostic if not an atheist, but one
day dropping into a Methodist prayer meeting he became so
impressed with the gospel message that he not only changed
his religious views but resolved to enter the ministry, not-
withstanding the financial consequences attending the de-
cision.

He was a most enthusiastic and useful pastor particularly
in evangelistic work and labored diligently and faithfully in
the ministry for twenty-three years (Topsfield being his last
charge). Upon retiring from the active ministry he founded
churches in West Hampstead and other New Hampshire
towns During the Civil War he was chaplain of the 1st
Maine Cavalry.

Rev. George Wesley Buzzell.

The pastor in 1873 and 1874 was the son of Alexander
and Nancy (Withered) Buzzell and was born in a log house
in Benton, Maine, the ninth in a family of twelve children.
For several years he was a school teacher but in 1870 he en-
tered the Methodist ministry, supplying the towns of Warren
and Cushing, Maine. He graduated from Boston University
School of Theology in 1875 and in 1877 joined the New
Hampshire Conference and served a number of charges. But
it is as the founder of the Good Will Institute (incorporated
in 1904) that Mr. Buzzell is best known to the present
generation. In 1898 he entered the City of Nashua, New
Hampshire, to undertake mission and institutional work. The
great need was not only a call but a pledge of success. In
1912 a new building for its use costing about $7,000, was
dedicated. The work of the Institute has been attended with

io 6

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

a measure of prosperity far out of proportion to its apparent
resources and elements of success.

Rev. William H. Meredith.

The pastor in 1875 and 1876 was born in Bristol, England,
March 28, 1844. Upon coming to America in 1870 he ac-
cepted a charge in Gorham, New Hampshire. He joined the
New England Conference in 1872 and died July 14, 1911, in
Saxonville (Framingham), Mass.

He never lost interest in the Wesleyan Church of England
which was revived by two or more visits to the old country,
his English home having been at Bristol where Rev. John
Wesley began his great work. He wrote sketches of English
and American Methodist Churches for many magazines and
newspapers which were noted for their great excellence. He
was recognized as a distinguished historian and an authority
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the library donated
to Boston University School of Theology by his family’ was
one of the finest collections of original editions of Wesley’s
works to be found in this country’. Unsought he received
two literary’ degrees. He was a lecturer in Boston University’
in 1906.

The interest taken in his special services while in Topsfield
was most encouraging and he extended the right hand of
fellowship to twenty-nine new members during the pastorate.

Rev. Stephen Louis Rodgers.

The pastor in 1877 and 1878 was born in London, Eng-
land. He came to this country during the Civil War and
was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Greens-
boro, North Carolina, in 1871, and subsequently’ received the
appointment as Presiding Elder. He was for a time agent of
the Freedman’s Aid Society, and in 1874 upon entering the
New England Conference expressed a willingness to take any’
appointment offered. He died on February’ 29, 1892, while
filling a second appointment at Feeding Hills (Agawam),
Mass.

While pastor of the Topsfield church he wrote several
caustic criticisms of the local public library’ which appeared

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

107

in the Essex County Mercury and brought forth stinging re-
plies from Mr. Gilbert B. Balch.

Rev. George H. Clarke.

The pastor from 1879 to 1882 was son of John Adams
and Dorinda (Scammell) Clarke and was born in Milford,
October 29, 1850. He joined the Conference in 1878 and
received appointments down to T 9 1 3 , when he took a super-
numerary relation. He has always been prominent in the
Conference and has been its treasurer since 1903.

During this the first three year pastorate of the church the
25th anniversary of the dedication of the meeting house (June
14, 1879) and the semi centennial of the organization of the
church (commencing October 19, 1880 and continuing for a
week) were observed with elaborate and highly attractive
programs. His five-minute children’s sermons following the
morning prayer received much favorable comment. Exten-
sive improvements were made in the vestry and the organ
was moved from the gallery to the right of the pulpit in the
audience room and 55 books were added to the Sunday
school library. He prepared a comprehensive history of the
church, a copy of which is entered in the church records and
is, so far as known, the earliest permanent record of the im-
portant church events now available. Beginning December
14, 1881, Mr. Clarke published “The Topsfield Herald” an
eight-page paper which appeared on alternate Fridays until
April 7, 1882. Of their children, George C. and Lizzie R.
were born in this town. His ministry closed with the church
free from debt and with the conviction in the minds of the
people that he was modest, not self-assertive and conscien-
tious to the last degree. He is now living in Sudbury, Mass.

Rev. Albert Charles Manson.

The pastor in 1882 was born in Limerick, Maine, March
12, 1809 and died January 2, 1886, in Suncook, N. H. He
joined the New Hampshire Conference in 1845 and was Pre-
siding Elder of the Claremont District, 1856 1859, and of the
Dover District, 1863-1866. He was transferred to the New
England Conference in 1872 and located in 1885. He was

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

a wise administrator and was kind and sympathetic and faith-
ful in all departments of his work. He was a good preacher
but particularly of the older style of preaching and was a man
of more than ordinary influence in the ministry.

Rev. Nathaniel Harrington Martin.

The pastor from 1883 to 1886, was born in Dorchester,
N. H., in August, 1827. He was a graduate of the Concord
Biblical Institute and in 1855 joined this Conference and con-
tinued in the active ministry until 1895. He delivered the
Memorial Day address in Topsfield in 1884. He died at
Marlboro, June 29, 1908.

He was kindness itself and an admirable pastor, having
deepest sympathy with everybody in distress and would do
anything in his power to serve another.

Rev. James Tippet Docking, Ph. D.

The pastor in 1886 was son of Thomas and Mary (Tippet)
Docking, and born in Cornwall, England, January 29, 1861.
He was a founder of the Epworth League of the Methodist
Church and is widely known as an author, editor and lecturer.
He was president of Cookman Institute, Jacksonville, Florida,
1904 1909, and since August 17, 1909, has been president of
Rust University, Holly Springs, Mississippi.

His pastorate in Topsfield was marked by an awakening of
religious interest. At a reception held at the parsonage on
May 14, 1887, he was presented with a gold watch by an
appreciative people.

Rev. Paul Clarence Curnick.

The pastor in 1887 and 1888 was son of Samuel and Carrie
Curnick and was born at Evansville, Indiana. He studied
law under private tutors for some time and when about to
take the examinations for admission to the bar, decided to
enter the ministry. He graduated from the Boston Univer-
sity School of Theology in 1889. He has filled many of the
leading pulpits of the Cincinnati Conference, including the
celebrated St. Paul’s Church of Cincinnati. He is a District

REV. JOHN PAULSON.
REV. JAMES F. MEARS.
REV. JOSEPH SIMPSON.

REV. JOHN C. SMITH,

REU. WM. H. MEREDITH,

REV. OTTIS T. MARTIN.

REV. STEPHEN F. CHASE.

REV. GEO. H. CLARKE,
REV. PHILLIPP DESCHNER.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

109

Superintendent in the Northwest Indiana Conference and is
stationed over the First Church, Terre Haute.

During the second year of his pastorate in Topsfield thirty
names were added to the membership and about $600 was
expended upon the meeting house in rebuilding the tower
and spire, installing inside blinds and in general repairs.

Rev. Theodore Woodruff Haven, Ph. D.

The pastor in 1889 was son of Bishop Erastus Otis and
Mary Frances (Coles) Haven and was born in Malden, March
1, 1862. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1881
and from Boston University School of Theology in 1884.
He was married (1) to Susan Choate Gould of Topsfield,
who died at Montezuma, N. Y., July 23, 1908; and (2) to
Lizzie S. Weston of Port Byron, N. Y. While pastor of a
Unitarian Church, Portland, Oregon, he wrote an essay, “The
History of Doubt” in which the great doubters of evangelical
interpretation of truth were discussed. When he applied for
admission to the Methodist Episcopal Conference, he was
told that he must distinctly and unequivocally answer certain
important questions and first and chiefest was “Do you be-
lieve in the supreme Deity of Jesus Christ and in the doctrine
of atonement as expressed by the evangelical churches?”
“If you can give me an unqualified, yes, I shall be happy to
use my utmost influence to bring you back into the church
of your father ; otherwise it would be absolutely futile for
you to attempt to enter the ministry of our church,” And
the Presiding Elder further states that he never heard from
him afterward. Notwithstanding this frank statement Dr.
Haven found an abundant entrance into the ministry of the
(M. E.) church, but in a Conference outside the jurisdiction
of this Presiding Elder. His present appointment is at Pat-
terson, in the Poughkeepsie District of the New York Con-
ference.

Rev. Charles H. Fuller.

The pastor in 1890 and 1891 was son of Frederick J. and
Sarah M. (Hall) Fuller and was born August 9, 1863, in

1 10

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

Quincy. He joined the East Maine Conference in 1887 and
continued as a minister and member of the Methodist denom-
ination until 1894 when he withdrew, “owing to what I (he)
considered more practical views of the unity of the church."
He now resides in West Quincy.

During this pastorate a manual of the church was published.

Rev. Samuel Reid.

The pastor from 1892 to Sept., 1893 came from New
Harmony, Indiana, to Boston University School of Theology
and graduated therefrom in 1894, and upon the termination
of this pastorate accepted a call to the Congregational Church
at Manchester by-the-Sea. He is now pastor of a small
church in Carlisle, Indiana.

Rev. Joseph Simpson.

The pastor from Oct., 1893, to Oct., 1894 was son of
Joseph and Jane (Clark) Simpson and was born in Annfield
Plain, England, February 12, 1870. He remained in the
ministry but a few years and then took up the study of med-
icine, graduating from Tufts Medical School in 1899. He
located in Essex and has built up a large practice He was
the first of a line of Boston University students who have
acted as supply-pastors of this church.

Rev. Lewis John Reader.

The pastor from December, 1894, to April, 1895 was born
September 22, 1859, in West Jefferson, Ohio. In 1893 he
graduated in the classical course of Ohio Wesleyan Univer-
sity, Delaware, Ohio, and in September of the same year he
entered Boston University School of Theology and was grad-
uated in 1896. In 1899 he was appointed a teacher in
Jquique College, Chile, South America, and shortly after his
arrival on the field was named as supply of the English
Church and Seamen’s Bethel in the Bay of Jquique, and a
year later performed the same double service at Concipsion
College.

February 25, 1901, at Concipsion College he was married

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

1 1 1

by Bishop Charles Cardwell McCabe, D. D., LL. D., to
Marian A. Milks, who for ten years previous was main room
teacher in the Girls’ College, Concipsion. In May, 1902,
they visited the United States and received appointments
from the North Ohio Conference until July, 1904, when they
returned to South America and labored among the coal
miners of southern Chile for two years. In March, 1907,
they were sent to Punta Arenas, and Mr. Reader was placed
in charge of the new district of Magallanes — “the mission
farthest South of the Methodist Episcopal Church.”

During his stay in Topsfield the Church took an added in-
terest in missions and its benevolences were greatly improved.
His present post office address is Casilla 250, Punta Arenas,
Chile, South America.

Rev. John Bilton Gough.

The pastor from September, 1895, to April, 1896 was
born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, in 1868. About
the age of sixteen he became positive in his decision for the
Christian life and service and two years later was appointed
to a circuit in the New Brunswick Conference. After the
usual routine of years in preaching, conference study and at-
tendance at Mt. Allison University, he was ordained as a
minister in full connection with the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Canada. He was granted leave of Conference for
attendance at Boston University School of Theology and was
graduated with the class of 1895. He afterwards returned to
his Conference in Eastern Canada where he has since been in
active ministerial work. He was married in 1898 and has a
family of two daughters. Mr. Gough is at present pastor in
Jacksonville, N. B., and if he specializes on any work in the
church it is with the Sunday School, having been for the past
eight years chairman or secretary of the Annual Conference
Committee on Sunday Schools, and for the last four years
has represented his conference on the General Conference
Sunday School and Epworth League Board.

Rev. I. Murray Mellish.

The pastor from 1896 to 1899 was the second son of James

1 12

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

Lewis and Margaret Sophia (Murray) Mellish and was born at
Pownal Bay, Prince Edward Island He came to Massachu-
setts in 1873 and for four years was a Sunday School teacher
and lay preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
1877 he joined the Nova Scotia Conference but returned to
Massachusetts in 1893 and founded the Glendale Mission,
Everett, and finally established it as a church. During his
four-year pastorate at Topsfield he was successful in greatly
enlarging the church interests in all departments, and the sum
of $972 (the first subscription was solicited in November,
1898) was expended upon the church building. Upon the
re-opening of the church on Sunday, May 21, 1899, the at-
tendance at the three services (the Ep worth League conduct-
ing the afternoon meeting) was the largest in recent years.
Rev. George H. Perkins a favorate son of Topsfield and a
convert of the church in 1868, delivered the sermon at the
morning service and Mrs. Jeanie McMeekin Mason gave the
principal address in the evening. As a pioneer worker Mr.
Mellish has an established reputation. He has been much
in the lecture field; his subjects including “The Persian Em-
pire" and “The Hand of God in History." Of his five tal-
ented daughters, three married Topsfield young men. His
present address is Lvnnfield Centre, Mass.

Rev. William Nesbit Roberts.

The pastor in 1900 and 1901, was born in Wintersville,
Ohio, December 22, 1867 and was graduated from the Bos-
ton University School of Theology in 1901. August 2, 1900,
he married Elizabeth Welday Warren of Steubenville, Ohio,
and they began housekeeping in the parsonage at Topsfield.
Since 1902 he has served charges in the Central Ohio Con-
ference.

Rev. p:dwin Church Dixon.

The pastor in 1902 was born at Kilbourn, Wisconsin,
February 6, 1868. He was graduated from Lawrence Col-
lege, Appleton, Wis., in 1888, and from Boston University
School of Theology in 1893. In the fall of 1901 he entered
Boston University for post-graduate work in philosophy with

REV. I. MURRAY MELLISH. REV, WM. H. MCLEAN, REV. WM. N. ROBERTS,
REV, GEO. W. BUZZELL, REV. JOHN G. BENSON. REV. GEO. M BOICOURT.

REV. H. WILLIAM HOOK.

REV. EDWIN C. DIXON.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

I 13

Dr. Bowne. and returned to Wisconsin in April, 1903 where
he accepted Conference appointments till 1909, when he was
appointed Superindentent of the Madison District of the
West Wisconsin Conference. He is secretary of the Wis-
consin Federation of Churches and Christian Workers. He
represented his Conference at the General Conferecce held
in Baltimore in 1908, and was elected at the head of his del-
egation to the General Conference held at Minneapolis, Minn.,
in 1912.

He was instrumental in the organization on June 2, 1902,
of the local chapter of the Epworth League No. 18,189.

From an official paper we take the following: “The

pastor has made numerous pastoral calls, largely at the
homes of persons never seen at Church either before or
after the call.” In July, 1902, an organ was installed in the
auditorium of the church which continued in service until
December, 1913. In June, 1914. the instrument was sold to
Kenneth Crosby DeLara of Danvers.

Rev. Hiram William Hook.

The pastur in 1903 and 1904 was son of William H. and
Mar>' (Kellock) Hook and was born in Barclay, Pa., in 1875,
and graduated from Boston University School of Theology
in 1904. During his pastorate the vestry was remodeled at
an expense of $350, and on October 20, 1904, the Daughters
of Industry was organized. He is the present pastor of the
Grace (M. E.) church, Cambridge.

Rev. Herbert Smith Dow.

The pastor in 1905 and 1906 was son of Smith G. and Ann
C. (Beckford) Dow and was born in Milford, February 18,
1866. He was for some years engaged in Y. M. C. A. work,
acting as assistant secretary in Boston, and as secretary at
Newton, Mass , and at Wilmington, Delaware. “He is an
earnest and faithful minister of the gospel and has been very
successful in bringing back the spiritual tone of his charges.”

His pastorate may well be remembered in Topsfield for
the organization of the “Home Department” of the Sunday
School and for the many attractive and popular “people’s

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST

114

services” held. In July. 1913. he exchanged Conference
appointments with Rev. I. F. Lusk of Gardiner, Maine.

Rev. John George Benson.

The pastor from 1907 to July I 5. 1909 was son of Ephraim
B. and Amy Jane Benson and was born in Richmond, Indiana,
February 1, 1881, and was graduated from De Pauw Univer-
sity in 1906 and from the Boston Universitx School of
Theology in 1909. While leader of this church he showed
an extraordinary knowledge of human nature and *poke his
mind fully with a cheerful disregard of am body’s feelings
and never failed of an attentive congregation. His methods
were unique. He is now located in Brazil, Indiana.

Rev. Ottis Tevis Martin.

The pastor from August, 1909, to April 10, 1 9 1 1 was son
of Ralph and Etneline (TevL) Martin, and was born Jul\ 3,
1880, at Adams, Indiana. His education was obtained at
McCordsville H gh Schoo1, the State Normal Schoo’ at Terre
Haute and De Pauw Un versity, and his professional course
was taken at Boston University School of Theology (two
years) and Garrett B blical Institute, Evanston, Illinois,
graduating from the latter institution in 1913. He was li-
censed to preach by the N. W. Nebraska Conference, Sep
tember 22, 1906, and hi"' first pastorate was at Crawford, Neb.
In the fall of 1907 he returned to Indiana and was assigned
by the N. W. Indiana Conference to Yountsville and to
Waynetown in 1908.

At his farewell reception in Topsfield, held April 6, 1911,
people of all creeds and of no creed were present to honor
the efficient pastor, and he was presented with a purse of
upwards of $30. March 3. 1911, Margaret Naomi Martin
was born at the parsonage. In April, 1911, he accepted an
assignment to Mentone, Indiana, his present charge.

Rev. William Henry McLean.

The pastor from April 16, to September, 1911, was son of
James C. and Anna M. (Downs) McLean, and was born in

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN TOPSFIELD.

115

Paris, Illinois, and was graduated from De Pauw University.
He had a pleasing personality, was strong in argument, was
a forceful speaker and a man of great promise. He gradu-
ated from the Boston University School of Theology in 1914,
and is pastor of the Highland (M. E.) Church, Lowell.

Rev. William Ralph Ward.

The pastor from October, 1911. to March 18, 1912, was
son of William P. and Mary M. ( Winborough ) Ward and
was born in Moundville, Missouri, January 9. 1884, and was
graduated from Baker University, Baldwin, Kansas, 1906,
and from Boston Un versity School of Theology, 1912.
During the year 1906 1907 he taught a Mission School in
Pachucha, Mexico. In 1908 and 1909 he was pastor of the
Congregational Church. Franci town. N. H., and principal of
the High School. Plainvi le. Mass., in 1910 and a portion of
1 9 1 I . Throughout his pastorate in Topsfield special stress
was laid upon the Sunday School interests.

Rev. George Mallalieu Boicourt.

The pastor from March 23. 1912, to March 23, 1914, was
a son of Rev. James and Sarah (Smith) Boicourt, and was
born at Ga>lord, Kansas, May 5. 1884. He was graduated
from B ktr University, Baldwin, Kansas, and Boston Univer-
sity School of Theology (1914). He was a deeper thinker
and stronger preacher than many of his predecessors and his
statement of the fundamental principles of religion awakened
considerable interest. The material blessings of this pastor-
ate included the installation of a new Estey organ which was
full} paid for in a ten days’ campaign. The instrument was
ded cated December 14. 1913. Frank W. Ward acting for the
organ committee and Horace Ray representing the Board of
Trustees.

Mr. Boicourt’s present field of labor is Pleasanton, Kansas.
Rev. Phillipp Deschner.

The present pastor is the third child of Phillipp and Eva
(Hall) Deschner and was born at Mramarack, Hungary,

I 1 6 EXTRACTS FROM SAMUEL SEWALL’S DIARY.

April 18, 1885. In 1894 the family emigrated to America
and settled in Texas. While a student in Blinn Memorial
College, Brenham, Texas, he was appointed a Conference
missionary and traveled throughout the state establishing
churches. In 1909 he attended Central Wesleyan College,
Warrenton, Mo., and during the first two years of the course
he served a charge and the third year was elected captain of
the first gospel team of the college funder the supervision of
the Y. M. C. A.). He graduated in the philosophical course
in 1912, and in the fall of the same year entered the Boston
University School of Theology. He was appointed pastor
of this church in April, 1914.

SAMUEL SEWALL’S DIARY.
Extracts Relating to Topsfield, Mass.

The Sewall diary is printed in the Historical Collections
of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 5th series, vols. V,
VI, VII. In a letter to his son, written in 1720. Judge
Sewall writes: — “My Father sent for my Mother to come to
him in New England. . . . Went by water to Graves End

where the Ship lay, the Prudent Mary, Capt. Isaac Wood-
green. Commander. . . . Passengers in the Ship at the

same time were . . . Mr. Gilbert and his wife. He was

Minister at Topsfield”.

“Aug. 5, 1686. . . . One Jn° Gold, Chief Commander

of the Military Company at Topsfield, is sent to Prison for
Treasonable words spoken about the change of Government,
is to be tryed this day fortnight. Council said he was not
bailable.”

“May 23, 1707. . . . “Ride to Topsfield [from By-

field], to visit Mr. Capen who is very glad to see me.”

It also should also be remembered that Judge Sewall was
one of the judges who presided at the witchcraft trials in 1692
which resulted in the execution of several women of Tops-
field residence or ancestry.

VITAL STATISTICS OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

FOR THE YEAR 191 3 .

1912.

Feb.

26.

March

*3-

Sept.

I9I3-

Jan.

30-

Feb.

12.

Mar.

29.

April

16.

July

18.

July

21 .

July

25.

Aug.

14.

Aug.

23-

Sept.

Oct.

16.

Dec.

11.

Dec.

11.

BIRTHS.

Daniel Francis, son of Daniel O.and Mary A. (Regan) Peterson.
Spencer Linwood,son of Ralph E. and Inez (Wheeler) Newell.
Charles Samuel, son of Charles S. and Charlotte L. (Ahrenhold)
Smith.

Barbara Kingsbury, dau. of Franklin and Helen King (Smith) Balch.
Luigi, son of Antonio and Philomena Santo (Nicola) Scoglio.
Catherine Frances, dau. of Manuel F. and Josephine (McDougall)
Castle.

John Wentworth, son of Thomas W. and Gabriella M. (Dexter)
Peirce.

Evelyn Margaret, dau. of Harland S. and Maud (Fuller) Pierce.
Joseph, son of Thomas and Mary A. (Spiritiliozzi) Longo.

Mary, dau. of Michael E. and Delia A. (Garrity) McGauley.
Antonio, son of Alphonse and Aralzia (Paglia) Roberto.

Perley, son of Isaiah A. and Emma E. (Neves) Swindell.

Mary Havey, dau. of Ralph and Agnes (Havey) Thomas.

Oliver Alden, son of Oliver and Susie May (Alden) Thayer.

son of Eben A. and Eva O. (Harris) Peabody.

Ruth Viola, dau. of Wesley F. and Alice L. (Mitton) Ewell.

Mary Joselyn, dau. of Ernest H. and Marion W. (Peirce) Pentecost.
Joseph and Florence (twins) of Thomas A. and Annie V. (O’Don-
nell) Pierce.

William Francis, son of James F. and Annie T. (McGoff) McGregor.
Frank Orville, son of Fred A. and Ida G. (Towne) Greenwood.
Joseph Walker, son of John and Margaret (McLellan) McQuade.
Winfield Horace, son of Harry W. and Elsie (Tarbox) Perkins.

I IS

VITAL STATISTICS FOR 1913.

1912.

Feb.

Oct.

12.

May. 24.

Aug:. 28.

12.

Oct. 15.

Nov. 27.

Dec. 23.

MARRIAGES.

f Fred A. Greenwood, (Topsfield), son of Orville S. and Cora L.
J (Prescott) Greenwood.

] Ida G. Towne (Topsfield), dau. of Frank H. and Mary B. (Richard-
son) Towne.

f James F. Morissey (Topsfield), son of James and Nellie A.
J (Thomas) Morissey.

1 Mildred E. Towne (Topsfield), dau. of Frank H. and Mary B.
(Richardson) Towne.

f Harry T. Fletcher, Jr., (Topsfield), son of Harry T. and Eliza-
I beth B. (Howe), Fletcher.

j Florence H. Titus (Topsfield), dau. of Frank and Ada M. (Por-
[ ter), Titus.

fRoy Ethridge (Topsfield), son of Donald and Annie (Ross)
J Ethridge.

] Katie G. Scott (Topsfield), dau. of James and Catherine (Waugh)
[ Scott.

f Raymond S. Roberts (Topsfield), son of Henry H. and Catherine
J J (Chbholm) Roberts.

1 Maude A Robinson (Topsfield), dau. of Charles G. and Annie
(. H. (Heath) Robinson.

f Arthur A. Spaulding: (Topsfield), son of William W. and Sarah
j E. (Hitchings) Spaulding:

] Ethel H. Buck (Boxford), dau. of Robert W. and Edith L.
I (Phillips) Buck.

f Arthur L. Barlett (Lynn), son of Fred and Georgia (Arris)
j Bartlett.

1 Wenona S. Philbrick (Lynn), dau. of Fred E. and Evie J
t (Spaulding) Philbrick.

f Leo V. Harris (Durham, N. H.), son of John O. and Sally (Hall)
J Harris.

j Mary Pingree (Topsfield), dau. of William H. L. and Margaret
(. (Bryant) Pingree.

19*3

Feb.

April 16.
May 16.
June 10.

DEATHS.

Elizabeth G., widow of Charles Winslow and dau. of Zacheus and
Ann (Hood) Gould, aged 80 yrs., 6 mos., 25 days.

Edward C. Roaf, unknown, drowned in Ipswich River, aged about
55 yrs.

Roderick B., son of Isaac B. and A. Maria (Manning) Young, aged
50 yrs., 7 mos., 8dys.

Annie R., wife of Charles J. Peabody and dau. of Richard and
Mary (Jacobs) Smith, aged 70 yrs., 2 mos., 15 dys.

Walter G., son of Calvin L., and Elizabeth P. (Pierce) Smith, aged
57 yrs., 8 mos., 5 dys.

July

T5«

July

19.

July

25-

July

28.

Aug.

SI-

Sept.

27.

Oct.

16.

Oct.

*7-

Oct.

29.

Nov.

15-

Dec.

I9l3*

Jan.

3i-

Feb.

23.

Mar.

July

24.

Aug.

26.

Sept.

27.

Sept.

30.

Oct.

VITAL STATISTICS FOR 1913. 1 19

John H., son of Benjamin B. and Esther (Peabody) Towne, aged
72 yrs., 5 mns., 13 dys.

Alford W., son of James C. and Agnes (Medlicott) Cooley, aged 40
yrs., 3 mos., 10 dys.

Alden, son of Eben A. and Eva O. (Harris) Peabody.

Mary B., wife of James Walsh and dau. of Thomas and Mary
(Murher) Brennock, aged 50 yrs.

Edward E , son of William and Hannah (Smith) Gunnison, aged
76 yrs., 3 mos., 26 dys.

Mehitable, dau. of Samuel C. and Lydia (Gould) Todd, aged 85 yrs.,
5 mos., 19 dys.

Mary C., wife of Albert A. Conant and dau. of Albert G., and
Sarah E. (Cutts) Lane, aged 77 yrs., 5 mos., 17 dys.

Hannah F., widow of James Cass and dau. of Burton and Hannah
(Lake) Tyler, aged 62 yrs., 4 mos., 14 dys.

Edv\in S., son of Samuel and Rachel (Averill) Clifford, aged 74 yrs.
4 mos., 14 dys.

S..rah E., wife of Horace Ray and dau. of Sewell and Mary
(Severence) Towne, aged 61 yrs., 8 mos., 29 dys.

Joseph, son of Thomas A. and Annie V. (O’Donnell) Pierce,
aged 24 dys.

Augustus W., son of Willard and Mary (Gould) Smith aged 84 yrs.
8 mos., 1 1 dys.

William F., son of Frank and Annie (McGoff) McGregor, aged 1 dv.

Mary Elizabeth, widow of Henry R White and dau. of Sidney
and Mary (Saunders) Saunders, aged 82 yrs., 5 mos., 2 dys.

Daniel F., son of Daniel and Fannie (Small) Towne, aged 78 yrs. 3dys

Charles Carmody, son of John and Mary Cammardy, aged 73 yrs.

Deaths in other places, Interment In Topsfield.

Ella E. Benton, died in Ipswich, Mass., aged 57 yrs, n mos., 19 dys.

Alexander W. Carter, died in Boxford, Mass., aged 45 yrs.,
3 mos., 3 dys.

Mary L. Towne, died Beverly, Mass., aged 70 yrs., 7 mos., 27 dys.

Edward H Perkins, died in Newburyport, Mass., aged 54 yrs., 9
mos., 19 dys.

Annie E. Munsey, died in Montclair, N. J., aged 3 1 yrs. 7 mos.,
21 dys.

Daniel G. Chapman, died in Amesbury, Mass., aged 82 yrs., 4
mos., 12 dys.

Dorothy Lord, died in Haverhill, Mass., aged 10 mos.

Sarah E. Ray, died in Salem, Mass., aged 61 yrs., 8 mos , 29 dys.

Lester H. Fuller, died in Georgetown, Mass., aged 5 mos., 8 dys.

Son of Harold Taylor, died in Beverly, Mass., aged 3 dys.

120

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN 1913.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN TOPSFIELD IN 1913.

1913*

January.
January 16.
March 22.

May.

June 25.
August.
September 16
November 4.

The Town buys land adjoining the Common as a site for a Pub-
lic Library building.

Shop of the Union Metallic Paint Co. (off West street) de-
stroyed by fire.

Fire caused by sparks from a locomotive burned over about
eight acres of the Hutching’s field and the Village narrow-
ly escaped destruction.

Rev. R. Alfred Dumm resigned as pastor of the Congregational
Church.

The 250th Anniversary of the Congregational Church observed*

Harold Moffitt elected principal of the High School.

Annual cattle show of the Essex Agricultural Society.

Henry F. Long of Topsfield elected representative to the Gen-
eral Court from the 24th Essex District.

BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED DURING THE YEAR 1913

Topsfield Historical Society, Hewlett St.; Parson Capen House restored.
Topsfield Grange, P. of H., Main St.; Herrick’s large shoe shop remodelled in'o
a Hall with offices and Club Room on the first floor.

Mrs. F. P. Smerage, Main St.; Herrick’s small shoe shop remodelled into a Hall
for the Girls’ Friendly Club with shop on first floor.

C. V. Jackman, Boston St; cottage house occupied by Italians.

Andrew L. Peirce, off Central St.; pump house.

George L. Gould, Washington St.; garage.

Herbert F. Walker, High St.; gardener’s house.

Harris E. Perkins, Central St.; barn.

George H. Shattuck, Wenham St.; carpenters’ shop.

George A. Frame, off Haverhill St.; cottage.

William Winchester, off Haverhill St.; cottage.

T. Jesse Fuller, Washington St.; garage.

Horace D. Bradstreet, Washington St.; addition to house.

John S. Lawrence, North St.; coachman’s house.

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Texts

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society"

See other formats